Harelka

Harelka is the Belarussian name of Vodka. Harelka was traditionally made in Belarus from rye malt, but nowadays it is also produced from grains or potatoes. The most popular type of Harelka is Pertsivka which is an 80% proof Vodka that is sold with spicy peppers in the bottle, which are said to make it even more spicy. Flavored Vodkas which are also available in Belarus are fruit Nalyvkas, such as the raspberry malynivka, strawberry tertukha, gooseberry agrusivka, plum slyvyanka, cranberry kalynivka, lemon tsytrynivka and vyshnivka, which is made from cherries. They usually mature for a few months after which the fruit content is separated from the alcohol and the drink can be bottled. The best known brands of Vodka in Belarus include: Akvadiv, Belaya Rus, Charodei, Kristall, Leader, Minskaya Kristall Vodka, Old Warrior, Dva Busly and Vodoley. Home-distilled Vodkas are also produced in the country, namely Moonshine and Samyhon.