Sbiten

During the winter months, everybody craves a delicious hot beverage such as hot chocolate, tea, and cider. But what if you want to try something different? In Russia, Sbiten (Russian, сбитень) is a traditional honey-based beverage consumed during the long winter months. It's actually very simple to prepare and tastes a lot like fruity tea. Here's how to prepare this comforting drink.

Makes 10 servings

• 1/2 cup of pure honey
• 1 tsp of cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 16 ounces (1 lb) blackberry jam
• 10 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 mint leaf (optional)

1. Bring 10 1/4 cups of water to a boil.
2. Add the ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, honey and homemade blackberry jam and stir gently.
3. Turn the heat down to about medium-low and bring it to a simmer. Stir the mixture for 6 minutes then take the pot off the stove.
4. Let cool for 2 minutes. Afterward, ladle the hot beverage into 10 mugs.