Bison grass vodka admittedly sounds like one of the least promising beverages you could ever hope to come across. Indeed, the bottle label translates the name "Zubrówka" into simply "bison vodka", which sounds even less pleasant. Anyone who has ever seen a bison in a zoo or safari park will ... Read review
Advantages: Good quality, Unique flavour Disadvantages: Not easy to find offline
Bison grass vodka admittedly sounds like one of the least promising beverages you could ever hope to come across. Indeed, the bottle label translates the name "Zubrówka" into simply "bison vodka", which sounds even less pleasant. Anyone who has ever seen a bison in a zoo or safari park will understand what I mean; they are less than attractive beasts, so why would I want to spend good money on vodka that tastes of them? Well, ... ...bison, unless distilled bison happens to produce a pleasant flavour reminiscent of almond, coconut and vanilla. Which I doubt.
Once relegated to more daring and independent bars, Zubrówka is a high quality Polish drink that is becoming increasingly popular and can now be found in much more mainstream establishments such as Wetherspoon's and Waitrose. I first heard of it a couple of years ago when it popped up on the menu of Revolution, ... more
Bison grass vodka admittedly sounds like one of the least promising beverages you could ever hope to come across. Indeed, the bottle label translates the name "Zubrówka" into simply "bison vodka", which sounds even less pleasant. Anyone who has ever seen a bison in a zoo or safari park will understand what I mean; they are less than attractive beasts, so why would I want to spend good money on vodka that tastes of them? Well, the answer is that this vodka does not taste of bison, unless distilled bison happens to produce a pleasant flavour reminiscent of almond, coconut and vanilla. Which I doubt.
Once relegated to more daring and independent bars, Zubrówka is a high quality Polish drink that is becoming increasingly popular and can now be found in much more mainstream establishments such as Wetherspoon's and Waitrose. I first heard of it a couple of years ago when it popped up on the menu of Revolution, a vodka bar in Newcastle serving an impressively comprehensive selection of vodkas and vodka cocktails. They were then serving it in a Bison Mojito (where it is mixed with lime, mint and crushed ice), a drink that I unfortunately found to be repulsive and which put me off trying Zubrówka again for a long time - although to be fair, I think this was more to do with the mint/lime combination than anything else. Fast forward to last Christmas, where my Significant Other was given a bottle of the very same bison grass vodka as a present. Having tried this intriguingly named drink again, I have to report that outside of a Mojito, it is a very nice tipple indeed and well worth a second chance.
The preparation of bison grass vodka is a well-established tradition in Poland that reportedly dates back to the 13th century (if you believe the website) or the 14th century (if you would rather believe the bottle label). Bison grass (also known as sweet grass, holy grass and vanilla grass amongst other things) is an aromatic herb that was widely used across Europe in the past, both in perfumes, to scent churches on special days, and to flavour tobacco and food; in France, it was used in sweets, while Russians made tea with it, for example. More interestingly, however, is the medicinal qualities associated with bison grass. Legend has it that bison grass is an aphrodisiac and can infuse the consumer with strength and virility...although I remain unconvinced on these counts, given that bison grass contains a high concentration of the chemical compound coumarin. Coumarin has mellow, soporific effects if consumed in sufficient quantity, and there is also anecdotal evidence for it having mild psychotropic effects. There have apparently also been rumours of heavy drinkers suffering extensive bleeding from minor wounds due to the anti-coagulant effect of coumarin, but I think we can safely file those away under urban myths. The presence of coumarin has led to Zubrówka being banned in the US since the 1970s, as the chemical is on the FDA's list of prohibited substances. This means that if you are reading this stateside, you have to drink the American export version of Zubrówka, where flavours are reproduced with federally acceptable food additives that are probably a lot worse for you in the long run than a natural grass, as well as giving you inferior vodka. If you are reading this anywhere else, then you can try the real thing, and providing you don't drink it in Frank Gallagher proportions, you won't come to any harm from the coumarin at all.
The trademark of the Zubrówka brand is the single blade of bison grass that is placed in each bottle, confirming that it is the authentic product. The aroma is strongly of almonds, with a subtle hint of vanilla, and unlike a lot of flavoured vodkas that are clear, Zubrówka has a slight yellow/green tint in the bottle. You really need to try this drink on its own at first (preferably chilled or over ice) to appreciate the distinctive flavour of it; the vanilla is much more pronounced in taste than in smell, quite sweet with an aromatic herby aftertaste, and a hint of coconut and the almonds that I could smell. There really is nothing else like it! The most popular way to drink Zubrówka, however, is in what the Poles call a tatanka or what Wetherspoon's refer to as a Frisky Bison - mixed with apple juice. The proportions for this cocktail vary; some recipes recommend a ratio of 1 part vodka to 2 parts juice, but personally I prefer it mixed slightly longer. In this cocktail, the flavour of the Zubrówka takes on a curious change and the herby element becomes rather cinnamony, so it is like you are drinking liquid apple strudel. It is worth buying a bottle just for this one recipe alone, and it has now become a firm favourite with us.
Other recipes to try are:
**The Appletini** 1 part Zubrówka 1 part apple liqueur Apple juice to taste Mix and serve in a Martini glass
**Double Bull** Zubrówka and Red Bull - mix to taste and serve over ice
**Polish Strike** 1 part Zubrówka 1 part apple schnapps 2 parts apple juice Squeeze of lime Shake all of the ingredients and serve over ice
**Turew-tini** 1 part Zubrówka 1 part honey vodka 1 part plain vodka 1 part apple juice Shake well and serve in a Martini glass
No doubt we will be buying more bottles of Zubrówka in future as we find more cocktails to us it in - just as long as they don't involve sullying the fine flavours with mint leaves!
Recommended.
ABV: 40% Availability: Can be bought from most stockists of imported and flavoured vodkas, such as www.thedrinkshop.com (£15.19 for 700ml) and www.drinkon.com (£15.49 for 700ml). Website: www.zubrowka.net
Advantages: Looks really good! Tastes pretty good. Disadvantages: Drinking it straight room temperature, no ice - not recommended
I bought my bottle of Bison Grass Vodka in France recently. I was annoyed at first with my boyfriend who insisted that the Vodka was supposed to be great, buying it for 13Euros when most other Vodkas we're about 8Euros. Especially when all I could see was that it had a piece of grass in it, and being slightly tight with money I was quite willing to loose the grass for the sake of 5Euros. Luckily my boyfriend knew that there was more to it that just ... ...give it a try.
Stupidly, after buying it we took it straight back to our tent at the campsite we were staying on and decided to give it a try. The only possible mixer that we had available was coke, so first I tried to drink a bit on it's own. Baring in mind that we had no freezer and therefore no ice. I will say this; it dos taste a little bit too strong for me on it's own, but it is certainly more bearable than normal vodka. I then added coke ...
sianciao 13.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Zubrowa Bison Grass Vodka
Advantages: Sweet, distinctive flavour. Great for cocktails Disadvantages: More expensive that regular vodka and sometimes hard to find.
You thought flavoured vodkas were a new invention? You were wrong. Long before the Lemon Absoluts of this world, there was bison grass vodka. This aromatic Polish vodka has been distilled since the 17th century and is still a favourite in many homes and bars across the world. The bison grass that gives this vodka its flavour grows only in the Bialoweiska Forest in eastern Poland.
It's picked, dried and its extract added to pure vodka and a touch ... ...is also known as vanilla grass, is thought by some in Poland to be an aphrodisiac.
It contains the chemical coumarin once used to sweeten tobacco, cakes and drinks. It also has blood thinning properties. Only a very small, non-harmful amount is in the vodka but that didn't stop the American government from banning it in the 1970's! Thankfully now, it's legal again. It's a slightly sweet, yellowish vodka with an amazing herbal smell. The classic ...
lula153 19.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Zubrowa Bison Grass Vodka
Advantages: Good taste, good value for money, great with cocktails, something different with good history Disadvantages: Not good if you just like vodka and coke!
The first time i tried this was a couple of years ago when my dad bought a bottle back from Poland having been there for business. They apparantly often close business deals with a shot of vodka, something you cant imagine happening in England!
Zubrowka (pronounced Zub-ruf-ka) is a quality vodka combined with spirits infused with Bison grass from the Bialoweiska Forest in Poland.
Packaging
Clear Glass bottle, with a white label with a picture ... ...the piece of grass from the bison field from the products native poland.
Bottle Size
70cl
Price
You'd be looking at around £14-£15. I have seen it in Uk supermarkets and off licences.
Taste
The flavour of this vodka is quite unique i've never tried anything like it! It tastes of herbs, mixed with vanilla, but also has a hint of coconut and almonds. It is a very delicate and medium bodied flavoured drink.
Colour
Clear but a slight yellow tinge ...
Sweetboy84 03.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Zubrowa Bison Grass Vodka
Advantages: Great herby vodka Disadvantages: So tasty, you don't know when to stop!
Zubrowka (pronounced zhubruvka (the 2nd u should sound like a Brummy saying the first i in Birmingham) is the most stylish and unique of the Polish vodkas. With a strand of grass inside the bottle from the Bialowieza Forest (east Poland near the Belarus border where a fair amount of bison live), should you spill your shot, you are obliged to lick the strand.
Known as Bison Grass Vodka in UK, the vodka itself has a herbie and almost spicy taste to ... ...class and quality from it but remains in the price range of average folk.
Should you be a lady or a bit of a woose or simply want to keep the alcohol flowing slowly due to working the next day the traditional Szarlotka is recommended. This is the most common way of drinking it, served chilled and with apple juice. Very tasty indeed. ...
dangaroo 05.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Zubrowa Bison Grass Vodka
Advantages: Truly Distinctive Taste Disadvantages: Don't eat the grass
...a happy holiday that was. Zubrowa Bison Grass Vodka is as the name suggests vodka which has been flavored with Bison grass, and with every bottle you get a free blade of bison grass, a word of advice though do not eat the grass it is horrible and your stomach will not like it.
The flavour is very soomth and there is a definite tinge of a herby flavour, giving it a very savory flavour. It is best drunk cold where it thickens and this improves the ... ...straight, but add fresh apple juice to it and the effect is very pleasing, or drink it neat then take a sip of apple juice after and the resulting explosion of flavour on your tounge is awesome.
It is becoming more comon in the UK and at around 18 quid a bottle it is well worth the money. ...
Champ666 26.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Zubrowa Bison Grass Vodka
