Local spirits, beer & wine

The local tipple is ‘Horilka’ (Ukrainian name for vodka). This is sold everywhere and is extremely popular. It is drunk in 50ml shot glasses and is usually downed in one following a suitably poetic toast. Any form of celebration whatsoever will be seen as an occasion to drink vodka.

Other spirits which you will encounter include Armenian cognac. Technically speaking, this is actually brandy but it is rather good and excellent with strong Ukrainian coffee. Georgian wines were once the stable, but since 1991 Ukrainian tastes have become more cosmopolitan. One local favourite remains the Bulgarian Bear’s Blood wine, a sickly sweet concoction that will give you a sugar rush as well as a hangover.

The local beer comes in light and dark varieties, with light being lager and dark beer being somewhat closer to British bitter but often with a slight tinge of sweetness – hence popular among ladies. Ukrainian lagers are generally excellent and are the second most popular beverages after vodka. The best brands are Chernihivska, Lvivska and Slavutych, while Obolon remains the national bestseller.

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