Zubrowka Vodka with Apple Juice (Szarlotka)

I’ve been in Poland long enough that I’m taking things for granted and saying things like, “Hmm, there are a lot of foreigners in town for this festival.”   I remember how surprised I was the first time I tried this flavor combination.  I’d ordered a vodka and tonic, but the waitress we’d been chatting with suggested I try one of her favorites – Zubrowka and apple juice which has the nickname, apple pie (szarlotka).  Zubrowka, if you’re not familiar with it is a Polish vodka, lightly flavored with buffalo grass, hence the buffalo on the bottle.

I got to introduce my ol’ pal, Julie, to this drink over the weekend.  It was so different than anything she’d tried before, and she loved it too, so it seemed like I should share the idea with you too.  For full apple pie effect, try a dash of ground cinnamon on the top of your cocktail.