Old-School Sbiten: Spiced Honey Winter Warmer

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Classic winter warmer with a bright lemon finish and soothing honey backbone.
• Fragrant with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and mint—comforting but not heavy.
• Gently made so the honey stays floral and vibrant, never scorched.
• Made in one pot, easy to scale for gatherings, and perfect alongside pryaniki.

Grocery List

• Produce: Fresh ginger, fresh mint, 1 large lemon
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Honey, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise (optional), black peppercorns (optional), fine sea salt

Full Ingredients

Spice Base

• 6 cups (1.4 L) water
• 2 cinnamon sticks (3 in / 7.5 cm)
• 8 whole cloves
• 1 star anise (optional but traditional)
• 8 black peppercorns (optional, for a subtle bite)
• 2 in (5 cm) fresh ginger, thinly sliced (about 20 g)

Honey and Finish

• 2/3 cup (220 g) honey
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves (10 g)
• 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon), plus extra to taste
• Pinch fine sea salt

Garnish (Optional)

• Lemon slices or wheels
• Small mint sprigs
• Cinnamon sticks as stirrers

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep your aromatics

Rinse the mint and pat dry. Slice the ginger into thin coins so it releases flavor quickly. Halve the lemon and set aside for juicing later; cut a few thin lemon rounds for serving. Prewarm your mugs with hot water so the sbiten stays piping hot.

Step 2: Build the spiced base

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise (if using), peppercorns (if using), and sliced ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, aiming for 185–195°F (85–90°C). Partially cover and simmer for 15 minutes to extract deep flavor without boiling aggressively.

Step 3: Rest to round the flavors

Turn off the heat and let the spiced liquid sit for 5 minutes. This brief rest softens any sharp edges and allows residual heat to continue extracting aroma.

Step 4: Dissolve the honey gently

Check the temperature; if it is above 180°F (82°C), wait a minute. Stir in the honey off heat until fully dissolved. Add the mint leaves, cover, and steep for 5–8 minutes. Avoid boiling after adding honey—gentle heat keeps its floral notes intact.

Step 5: Strain and brighten with lemon

Strain the sbiten through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or heatproof pitcher, pressing lightly on the aromatics. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and a small pinch of salt. Taste and adjust: add up to 1 more tablespoon lemon for extra brightness or a drizzle more honey for sweetness.

Step 6: Rewarm and serve

Rewarm gently to 160–170°F (71–77°C) if needed. Pour into prewarmed mugs and garnish with a lemon slice, a fresh mint sprig, and a cinnamon stick if you like. Serve hot with pryaniki for a classic pairing.

Pro Tips

• Honey last: add it off heat to avoid dulling its aroma and keeping flavors lively.
• Mind the simmer: 185–195°F is ideal for spice extraction without bitterness.
• Prewarm mugs with hot water so the sbiten stays hot longer.
• Strain well for a clear, jewel-toned cup; a second pass through a fine sieve or coffee filter yields extra clarity.
• Keeping warm for guests: hold at 160–170°F on a slow cooker’s warm setting; do not boil.

Variations

• Apple-Cider Sbiten: Replace 2 cups (480 ml) of the water with unsweetened apple cider; reduce honey to 1/2 cup (170 g). Proceed as directed.
• Festive Mulled-Wine Sbiten: After straining, stir in 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine or 1/3 cup (80 ml) dark rum. Warm to 160°F (71°C) and serve; do not boil.
• Cranberry-Ginger Sbiten: Add 1 cup (240 ml) 100% cranberry juice after straining. Include 2 strips orange peel in the spice base and increase honey to 3/4 cup (255 g).

Storage & Make-Ahead

Refrigerate strained sbiten (without lemon slices) in a sealed jar for up to 5 days. Rewarm gently to 160–170°F (71–77°C); do not boil. Add fresh lemon juice just before serving for the brightest flavor. For longer storage, freeze in ice-cube trays; reheat 8 oz (240 ml) hot water per 1–2 cubes to taste.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate for 1 mug (8 oz / 240 ml): 115 calories; 0 g fat; 29 g carbohydrates; 28 g sugars; 0 g protein; 10 mg sodium. Values will vary with exact honey and lemon used.