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What to drink in Eastern Europe? Top 33 Eastern European Beverages

Last update: Thu Jan 30 2025
Top 33 Eastern European Beverages
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Eastern European Beverage Types

01
Georgian amphora wine
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Georgian amphora wine is produced with an ancient wine-making method in which pressed grapes, including skins, juice (tkbili), stalks, and pips, are poured in traditional terracotta amphorae known as qvevri (kvevri). The amphorae are sealed and are then buried underground, or kept in Marani—underground cellars.


Usually, the wine is left to ferment from five to six months. The method is used throughout the country, though the wines can slightly vary in styles depending on the region. In Kakheti, the wine is produced with whole chacha—pomace—while in Imereti approximately only a third is used. 
02

Wine Variety

KAKHETI, Georgia
4.5
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Saperavi is a resilient red Georgian grape that originated in the eastern region of Kakheti, and though it is still predominant in Georgia, small amounts are also grown in other Eastern European regions, Australia, and the United States.


This teinturier grape that has dark skins and flesh produces full-bodied wines of a dark garnet color which are characterized by aromas of ripe red berries and pleasant acidity. Most wines produced from the Saperavi grapes are varietal and have a great tendency to age.


Sapervai wines are incredibly versatile and can match a variety of dishes, including delicate fish dishes, stews, grilled meat, or game.

03

Tea

RUSSIA and  one more country
4.3
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Russian Caravan is a tea blend that is typically made with Chinese oolong and black teas. The blends may vary, but it mostly consists of at least two tea types, while the most common combinations include Keemun black tea, the smoky Lapsang Souchong, and oolong teas.


Although the exact selection may vary, Russian Caravan is based on fully or partially oxidized teas, and the final character is typically dark, smoky, spicy, and malty. Traditionally, Chinese black teas were used in the blend, but as there are no set ingredients, the variations may include Indian (Assam) or Taiwanese teas. 
04
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Uzvar is a traditional drink made by simmering dry fruit in water. It is a type of infusion made with various dry fruit, but apples, pears, prunes, and dry apricots are the most common option. Though only one type of fruit can be used, most variations will use a combination of different fruits, while some also add fresh fruit.


Spices such as cinnamon, star anise, and nutmeg are commonly used as flavorings, and the drink is typically sweetened with honey. Before it is served, uzvar is left to infuse and chill. It is traditionally enjoyed as a wintertime beverage, and it is also a regular part of Sviata Vechera—Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner—when it is served as the last part of the meal.

05

Wine Variety

KAKHETI, Georgia
4.2
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Kisi is a native Georgian variety that is mainly associated with Kakheti. Like many Georgian grapes, this white variety is also used for classic dry styles and traditional Georgian amber wines made in large clay vessels (qvevri).


The grape is often blended with Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane Kakhuri. By the 2000s, Kisi was almost extinct, but it is slowly being introduced as a local grape with excellent potential. Classic dry wines are crisp and bright. They have a medium body and aromas reminiscent of flowers, citrus fruit, apples, pears, and peaches. 
06
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Popular throughout Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, ryazhenka is a dairy product that is made by fermenting milk after it has been baked for a long time at low temperature. The fermentation is achieved by the addition of sour cream, kefir, or buttermilk.


Once prepared, ryazhenka has a thick and creamy texture, sweet flavor, and a milky yellowish color, which is why it is especially popular with children.

07
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Sbiten is a traditional hot beverage made from honey, water, jam, and various spices. It dates back to the 12th century, when it was made in copper samovars by sbiten makers who sold it on street corners. The name sbiten is derived from the Russian sbit, meaning to beat, referring to the act of pounding spices and herbs in a mortar.


This tasty beverage can be made into an alcoholic drink by adding wine, vodka, or brandy into it.

08
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Mtsvane Kakhuri, or simply Mtsvane, is an aromatic white grape native to Georgia. The grape produces alcoholic and tannic white wines. It is mainly found in Kakheti, where it is used in varietals and blends and several regional appellations.


Although suitable for various styles, it is primarily used for dry wines and traditional wines made in qvevri—terracotta pots used for fermentation and maturation. Dry white wines made from Mtsvane are fresh and light. They will usually have aromas reminiscent of white and yellow fruit, flowers, and citrus, often accompanied by herbal and mineral notes. 
09

Non-alcoholic Beverage

RUSSIA and  2 more regions
4.0
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Kvass is an ancient, traditional Russian beverage made from buckwheat meal, wheat, rye, rye bread, or barley, but it can be made from any ingredient that can be fermented. It has a relatively low alcoholic content (from 0,7-2.0 %) as a result of the natural fermentation process, but it is classified as a non-alcoholic beverage in Russia.


Some versions, especially commercial brands that are sometimes artificially fermented, do not contain alcohol. The origins of kvass are associated with Kievan Rus', a federation that eventually became an area of three large nations: Russians, Belarus, and Ukrainians. 
10
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Krambambula is a Belarusian cocktail made with a combination of red wine and different types of liquor such as rum, vodka, or gin. The drink has also been declared the national beverage of Belarus. There are numerous recipes for Krambambula because wine can be mixed with any stronger liquor, depending on personal preferences.


In some areas, there are even commercially produced versions of this cocktail. It is believed that the name Krambambula is derived from the Old High German word chranawita, meaning croaker timber, a.k.a. juniper, and the Rotwelsch word blamp, denoting an alcoholic beverage.

11
Wine Variety
KAKHETI, Georgia
3.9
12
Wine Variety
LOWER KARTLI, Georgia
3.9
13
14
15
Spirit
RUSSIA  and  one more region
3.5
16
17
Brandy
YEREVAN, Armenia
3.3
18
19
20
Spirit
BELARUS  and  2 more regions
3.0
21
22
Wine Variety
IMERETI, Georgia
3.0
23
24
25
26
Wine Variety
KAKHETI, Georgia
n/a
27
Wine Appellation
SAGAREJO, Georgia
n/a
28
Wine Variety
IMERETI, Georgia
n/a
29
Wine Variety
IMERETI, Georgia
n/a
30
Wine Appellation
IMERETI, Georgia
n/a
31
32
Spirit
ARMENIA
n/a
33
Coffee (Beverage)
RUSSIA  and  3 more regions
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Eastern European Beverage Producers

01

Spirit

ODESSA, Ukraine
5.0
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Shabo is a renowned producer of wine and alcoholic beverages from Ukraine, established in 2003. The company's headquarters are located in the village of Shabo in the Odesa region, which boasts a long tradition of winemaking dating back to the 16th century.


The company spans over 1,200 hectares of vineyards and produces a wide range of wines, cognacs, brandies, and liqueurs. Shabo is known for combining traditional winemaking methods with modern technologies, resulting in high-quality products that have won numerous international awards.
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy

2016

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum

2023

02

Spirit

GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

03

Wine

ARMENIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold

2020

04

Spirit

GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

BEST Four Corners
05

Spirit

RUSSIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2022

BEST Niva Distillery
06

Spirit

YEREVAN, Armenia
5.0
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AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2021

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy

2021

07

Wine

KAKHETI, Georgia
5.0
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2018

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2021

BEST Kakhuri Gvinis Marani
08

Beer

LVIV, Ukraine
5.0
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2023

BEST Pravda Brewery
09

Beer

DNIPRO, Ukraine
5.0
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2023

BEST Mova Brewing Co.
10

Beer

GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

Great American Beer Festival - Gold

2021

BEST Tucker Brewing Co.
11
Beer
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
12
Spirit
KYIV, Ukraine
5.0
13
Wine
TELAVI, Georgia
5.0
14
Wine
ARMENIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
15
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
16
Beer
MOSCOW OBLAST, Russia
5.0
17
Beer
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
18
Beer
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
19
Beer
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
20
Beer
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
21
Wine
TELAVI, Georgia
4.9
22
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.9
23
Wine
KAKHETI, Georgia
4.9
24
25
26
Spirit
UKRAINE, Eastern Europe
4.8
27
28
Spirit
RUSSIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
29
Spirit
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia
4.8
30
Spirit
MOSCOW, Russia
4.8
31
Liqueur
KYIV, Ukraine
4.8
32
33
Spirit
MINSK REGION, Belarus
4.8
34
35
Spirit
MOSCOW, Russia
4.8
36
Wine
KRASNODAR KRAI, Russia
4.8
37
Wine
MTSKHETA-MTIANETI, Georgia
4.8
38
Wine
KRASNODAR KRAI, Russia
4.8
39
Wine
TBILISI, Georgia
4.8
40
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
41
42
Liqueur
UKRAINE, Eastern Europe
4.8
43
44
Wine
TELAVI, Georgia
4.8
45
Wine
TBILISI, Georgia
4.8
46
47
Wine
KAKHETI, Georgia
4.8
48
Wine
TELAVI, Georgia
4.8
49
50
Wine
KRASNODAR KRAI, Russia
4.8
51
52
Wine
AMBROLAURI, Georgia
4.8
53
Wine
TBILISI, Georgia
4.8
54
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
55
56
Wine
KAKHETI, Georgia
4.8
57
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
58
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
59
Wine
TBILISI, Georgia
4.8
60
Wine
TELAVI, Georgia
4.8
61
Wine
KAKHETI, Georgia
4.8
62
63
Wine
KAKHETI, Georgia
4.8
64
65
Wine
KUTAISI, Georgia
4.8
66
Wine
KAKHETI, Georgia
4.8
67
68
Wine
TELAVI, Georgia
4.8
69
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Eastern European Beverages

01

Spirit

GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

02

Spirit

RUSSIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2022

03
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AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold

2021

04

Spirit

GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

05
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

06
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AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2021

07

Wine

KAKHETI, Georgia
5.0
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AWARDS

International Wine Challenge - IWC Champion Red Wine 2020

2020

08
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AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2019

09
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AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2020

10
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2023

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Beer
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
5.0
34
35
36
37
38
39
Spirit
UKRAINE, Eastern Europe
4.8
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
63
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
64
Wine
GEORGIA, Eastern Europe
4.8
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 33 Eastern European Beverages” list until January 30, 2025, 1,425 ratings were recorded, of which 978 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Eastern European Beverages