Ingredients
Drink
- 300 mlborovička, or slivovica
- 4 tbsphoney
- 2 tbsplard, or butter
- 100 mlwater
Sometimes added
- 1cinnamon stick
- 2cloves
- a strip of lemon peel
Equipment
- a small heavy pan
- small heatproof glasses or cups
Directions
- Keep the pan lidded until you are ready to pour. Put the water and honey in a small heavy pan.
- Warm it gently until the honey dissolves completely. Add the cinnamon, cloves and lemon peel now if you are using them. Let them steep in the hot honey water for three minutes.
- Add the lard or butter and stir it until it melts into the honey. That is how it is supposed to look, so do not fight it.
- Take the pan off the heat entirely before adding the alcohol. Pour in the borovička or slivovica and stir it through.
- Return the pan to the very lowest heat for one minute only. It should be hot enough to drink but nowhere near simmering.
- Warm the glasses with hot water and empty them out. Cold glass can crack when hot liquid is poured in. Strain out the spices if you used them. Pour the hot drink into the warmed glasses.
- Stir each glass once before drinking so the fat is distributed. Drink it hot, since it is unpleasant once the fat congeals.
Technique
- Never heat the spirit over an open flame, since the vapour is flammable.
- Add the spirit off the heat and never let it boil, or the alcohol goes.
- The fat is a genuine ingredient and forms a film on top, which is correct.
Substitutions
- Butter in place of lard, which is the common modern choice.
- Any plum or juniper spirit if borovička is unavailable.
Variations
- With plum slivovica instead of juniper borovička.
- With spices left out entirely, which is the older version.
- With a spoonful of bryndza cheese stirred in, which some shepherds did.
History
A Liptov and Orava shepherds’ drink made with borovička or plum spirit against mountain cold.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hriatô?
Hriatô is a cocktail from Slovakia: hot spirit warmed with honey and melted lard or butter. A Liptov and Orava shepherds’ drink made with borovička or plum spirit against mountain cold.
How long does Hriatô take to make?
Hriatô takes 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking. The recipe makes 4 drinks. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Hriatô?
Yes, within limits. Butter in place of lard, which is the common modern choice. Any plum or juniper spirit if borovička is unavailable.
What is the most important thing to get right in Hriatô?
Add the lard or butter and stir it until it melts into the honey. That is how it is supposed to look, so do not fight it.
