The most traditional Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia) drink is kompot z suszu, a non-alcoholic, smoky beverage made from boiled dried fruits like smoked plums, apples, pears, and spices. It is believed to aid digestion after the meal. Other common choices include red borscht, herbal teas, and, after the traditional fasting dinner, alcoholic options like krupnik (honey-spiced vodka) or mulled wine (grzane wino).
– Dried fruit drink kompot z suszu – a sweet, spiced fruit compote made from dried fruits like prunes, apples, and pears. It's served as a drink and is considered a healthful and delicious way to cleanse the palate. It can be served hot or cold and is a must-have addition to the Wigilia dinner table.
Poland: Vodka is regarded a national beverage as some sources consider it to have originated in Poland, dating back to 15th century. Other distinctive alcoholic drinks feature bison grass vodka, krupnik, variety of traditional tinctures (nalewka) like piołunówka, along with traditional Polish meads.
Polish Christmas food is a celebration of family, togetherness and joy, and you'll find dishes such as crimson beetroot soup (barszcz) or borscht, vegan-friendly sauerkraut, mushroom puff pastry rolls and pierogi dumplings filled with potato and cheese.
Among the traditional Christmas, dishes are Christmas Eve carp, Jewish-style carp, the herring, pierogi, and poppy seed cake. After dinner, people start gifting the presents and singing carols. Poland really loves its Christmas carols. And there are thousands of them.
Some of the classic Polish Christmas treats we carry are pralines, Krakus gingerbread in chocolate, plums in chocolate, Wedel chalwa - halvah, candies with fruit fillings, and assortments of fine dark chocolates.
Why do Polish people leave an empty chair on Christmas Eve?
During this period, the empty chair tradition gained a new dimension. From the year of the uprising onwards, the empty place was not only left for ancestors or an unexpected guest but, first and foremost, in memory of those who had been deported east, in order to strengthen the hope of their fortunate return.
In fact, for many Polish families it is a must-have dish at Christmas! Kutia is a wheat berry pudding that combines the ground poppy seed commonly used in Polish holiday dishes with honey, nuts, dates, figs, orange rind and raisins, and sometimes a bit of milk or cream for extra richness.
The heartiest version would be scrambled eggs fried with onions and diced kiełbasa. Seasonally we make scrambled eggs with chanterelles (spring forest mushrooms) or with fried tomatoes. Another quintessential Polish breakfast would be milk soup. This consists of just rice and milk or noodles and milk.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a moderation guideline: no more than 1 drink per hour, 2 drinks per occasion, and 3 alcohol-free days per week, helping to pace consumption and reduce risk, though it's important to know that no level of alcohol is completely risk-free, and other guidelines (like the 0-1-2-3 rule or official dietary recommendations) also exist. A "standard drink" is key: 12 oz regular beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz spirits, and it's crucial to avoid mixing alcohol with medications or while driving.
When you think of alcohol in Poland, vodka is probably the first thing that comes to mind. But there are many more treasures hidden in the Polish regions – from 'Polish whiskey' to 'Golden Water', from 150-proof moonshine to light ciders and beers.
Krupnik (Polish, Belarusian) or Krupnikas (Lithuanian) is a traditional sweet alcoholic drink similar to a liqueur, based on grain spirit (usually vodka) and honey, popular in Lithuania and Poland. In Poland it is grouped in the nalewka category of alcoholic beverages.
In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish, usually carp. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts can sometimes last for over two hours.
From eggnog and wassail to the Tom and Jerry and poinsettia, these classic Christmas drinks are as inherent to holiday celebrations as decorating the tree and yummy baked treats. The recipes have stood the test of time and are sure to keep your season bright.
Norway. Most people try to get their houses as clean and tidy as possible for the holidays but that's not the case in Norway. There is no cleaning on Christmas Eve. All brooms are safely hidden away in case they're stolen by witches and evil spirits.
