Indulgences

1. wódka

   Vodka

   Usage

   A strong spirit, traditionally drunk chilled and neat in small measures alongside food. Polish law distinguishes "wódka czysta" (nothing added but water) from flavoured "wódka smakowa". Sale to anyone under 18 is prohibited

   Grammar Note

   Feminine ("ta wódka"); note the "ó", pronounced like "u". The EU geographical indication "Polska Wódka" may be used only for spirit made from Polish-grown rye, wheat, barley, oats, triticale or potatoes, distilled and bottled in Poland

2. nalewka

   Nalewka — fruit or herb infusion liqueur

   Usage

   Sweet-tasting but strong: fruit, herbs, roots or flowers macerated in spirit for two to six weeks, filtered and blended with sugar syrup — typically 40–45% ABV. Common kinds are "wiśniówka" (cherry), "pigwówka" (quince), "dereniówka" (cornelian cherry) and "imbirówka" (ginger)

   Grammar Note

   Feminine ("ta nalewka"), plural "nalewki", from the same root as "nalewać" (to pour). The same word also means a pharmaceutical tincture, so read it in context

3. miód pitny

   Miód pitny — Polish mead

   Usage

   Honey (usually linden) fermented with water. Four grades by honey-to-water ratio, the richer ones stronger and longer-aged: "półtorak" (1 honey : 0.5 water), "dwójniak" (1:1), "trójniak" (1:2), "czwórniak" (1:3). Czwórniak matures in 6–8 months, półtorak needs 8–10 years

   Grammar Note

   Masculine. "Miód" alone means table honey, so the adjective "pitny" ("for drinking") is what makes it the drink. Polish meads have been registered as an EU Traditional Speciality Guaranteed since 2008

4. krupnik

   Krupnik — honey and spice liqueur

   Usage

   A sweet honey-and-spice liqueur, often served warm in winter. The same word also names a barley groat soup, so check which menu section it appears under — "zupy" (soups) or "alkohole" (spirits)

   Grammar Note

   Masculine ("ten krupnik"). The word has two senses: a groat soup on meat and vegetable stock, and an alcoholic drink made with honey and spices

5. śliwowica

   Śliwowica — plum brandy

   Usage

   Very strong — sometimes over 70% ABV. A dry spirit distilled from plums with no added sugar, made around Łącko in the Małopolskie province since the 17th century. Taken in tiny measures, not by the glass

   Grammar Note

   Feminine ("ta śliwowica"), from "śliwka" (plum). The regional product "Śliwowica Łącka" was entered on the Ministry of Agriculture's Lista produktów tradycyjnych on 10 October 2005, in the beverages category for the Małopolskie province

6. piwo

   Beer

   Usage

   Draught beer is "piwo lane"; bottled or canned is "piwo butelkowe" / "puszkowe". It is normally ordered as 0.3 l or 0.5 l. Sale to under-18s is prohibited and you may be asked for ID

   Grammar Note

   Neuter ("to piwo"). The accusative is identical, so you simply say "Poproszę piwo"

7. grzane wino

   Grzane wino — mulled wine

   Usage

   Red wine warmed with spices — a winter drink sold in paper cups at Christmas markets and mountain resorts. The beer equivalent, "grzane piwo", is also served in winter

   Grammar Note

   "Wino" is neuter, so the adjective takes the neuter form "grzane"; "piwo" is neuter too, hence "grzane piwo". The masculine noun "grzaniec" covers both mulled wine and mulled beer

8. wino

   Wine

   Usage

   Red is "wino czerwone", white "wino białe"; dry is "wytrawne", sweet "słodkie". A glass is "kieliszek wina"

   Grammar Note

   Neuter ("to wino"). In "kieliszek wina" the form "wina" is the genitive

9. papierosy

   Cigarettes

   Usage

   Smoking is banned by law in public places in Poland — healthcare, education, welfare and public transport facilities among them — and e-cigarettes fall under the same ban. The fine is up to 500 zł. A restaurant or bar may set aside one closed room for smoking only if it has at least two customer rooms and ventilation that keeps the smoke out of the rest

   Grammar Note

   Plural ("te papierosy"); the singular is the masculine "papieros". The accusative is unchanged, so you can say "Poproszę papierosy"

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