Ukraine is a multicultural country where customs and traditions were created by the experiences of lots of generation and nationalities that had lived there down through the centuries. Every next generation, every new nationality established through its customs and traditions its own view to everyday life, forming in this way the national culture. Therefore, learning more about this culture, its customs and habits may be useful for better understanding this magnificent country. Cuisine, eating and drinking is an integral part of such understanding, so it is worth observing.

It is necessary to note, that drinking in Ukraine is rather social condition. It seems impossible to believe but drinking is a frequent and pervasive phenomenon, even a way to assess a person (in concerns of course men). Numerous jokes, countless anecdotes are devoted to drinking. The ability to drink is like a kind of virtue. Ukrainian drink, and in fact they drink a lot. Variety of spirituous liquors – either national or imported – makes drinking easy and possible. Actually, that is one of the reasons that Ukrainian ladies endeavor to give priority to foreigners. Ukrainian men don’t drink a lot; they do drink beyond all measures.

There are however some specific Ukrainian drinking that can be interesting for keen admirers and judges of higher-quality drinking. Gorylka (vodka) is considered Ukrainian national most preferable alcoholic beverage. Gorylka means “burning water” and it seems to be so close to the truth. It contains alcohol content of up to 40% and it can conceptually burn. Gorylka comes with different variants, flavoured with spices, herbs, fruit (so-called nalyvka, made from plum, cranberry, raspberry or strawberry), grains and vegetables (as pertsovka – pepper vodka). It’s necessary part of each celebration.

Medovukha is also worth attention. It is considered to be one of the oldest Slavic drinking in Ukraine. Medovukha (that is known as mead since pagan times) is made from honey (usually taken from farms in the regions of Central and Southern Ukraine, Crimea and Carpathians mountains), yeasts and alcohol. It is flavoured with herbs and spices and is tenderly delicious.

And, of course, beer. Beer is believed the national Ukrainian drink. Some leading brewing companies as Obolon CJSC (beer brands: Obolon), Carlsberg Group (local beer brands: Slavutych, Lvivske), SABMiller (local beer brands: Sarmat) are worldwide known.