Traditional Eastern European Drinks at Varenik&Pelmen London
No Eastern European dumpling feast is complete without a traditional drink to wash it all down. At Varenik&Pelmen, we serve a curated selection of authentic Eastern European beverages that perfectly complement our pelmeni, vareniki, bliny, and syrniky. From refreshing homemade lemonade to the deep, fruity warmth of uzvar, our drinks menu offers something unique and delicious for every palate.
Our Drinks Menu
Homemade Lemonade
Our homemade lemonade is freshly made with real lemons for a bright, zesty refreshment. Light, tangy, and perfectly sweetened, it is the ideal thirst-quencher on a market day. Unlike commercial lemonades loaded with artificial ingredients, ours is made the traditional way — with fresh citrus, water, and just the right amount of sugar.
Uzvar — Dried Fruit Compote
Our uzvar is a traditional Eastern European beverage made by gently simmering dried fruits — typically pears, apples, prunes, and other seasonal fruits. The result is a subtly sweet, aromatic drink with complex fruity depth. Served chilled, uzvar is both refreshing and nourishing. It is a drink deeply rooted in Eastern European holiday traditions, particularly Christmas Eve celebrations.
Kompot — Fruit Drink
Our kompot is a beloved Eastern European fruit drink made by simmering fresh or frozen fruits in sweetened water. The result is a light, naturally flavoured beverage that captures the essence of the fruits used. Kompot has been a household staple across Eastern Europe for centuries — it was the go-to drink at family meals long before fizzy drinks existed, and it remains popular today for its natural, wholesome taste.
Kissel — Fruit Jelly Drink
Our kissel is a unique Eastern European drink with a distinctive smooth, slightly thick texture. Made from fruit juice or purée thickened with starch, kissel sits somewhere between a drink and a dessert. It can be served warm or cold, and its silky consistency makes it unlike anything else on our menu. Kissel has been enjoyed across Eastern Europe for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest traditional beverages in the region.
Why Traditional Drinks Matter
Completing the Eastern European Experience
At Varenik&Pelmen, we believe that an authentic food experience extends beyond the plate. Our drinks are carefully chosen to complement our food — the tartness of lemonade cuts through rich pelmeni, the fruity depth of uzvar pairs beautifully with sweet vareniki, and the refreshing lightness of kompot cleanses the palate between different dumpling fillings. Together, our food and drinks create a complete Eastern European dining experience.
Natural, Wholesome Ingredients
All our drinks are made with natural ingredients. We use real fruit, real sugar, and traditional preparation methods. There are no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. What you taste is the authentic flavour of each ingredient, prepared the way it has been done across Eastern Europe for generations.
Pairing Drinks with Food
With Pelmeni
Meat pelmeni pair wonderfully with our homemade lemonade — its citrus brightness cuts through the richness of the meat filling. Kompot is also an excellent choice, providing a fruity refreshment that complements without overwhelming.
With Vareniki
Savoury vareniki go well with kompot or lemonade. Sweet vareniki with cherry or strawberry filling pair beautifully with uzvar, as the dried fruit flavours echo and complement the fresh fruit in the dumplings.
With Bliny and Syrniky
Kissel is a wonderful companion to bliny and syrniky. Its smooth, dessert-like quality bridges the gap between food and drink, creating a cohesive sweet experience. For a lighter pairing, choose lemonade or kompot.
Drinks for Every Season
Our drinks work year-round. In summer, a glass of chilled kompot or lemonade is the perfect refreshment at an outdoor food market. In cooler months, warm kissel or uzvar provides comforting warmth alongside your dumplings. No matter the weather, our drinks menu has something to enhance your Varenik&Pelmen experience.
Visit us at our London food market locations to try our full range of traditional Eastern European drinks alongside our handcrafted dumplings, bliny, and syrniky.