Every once in a while, one receives a unexpected delicious boozy present. Such was the case yesterday, when a bottle of Krupnik, a Polish Honey Liqueur, arrived on our doorstep via a savvy fellow drinker.

Honey liqueur has been used in cocktail for a while. If you look in older recipe books, you can find several cocktails calling for “runny honey”, or honey that has been purified and is less viscous. Krupnik and other honey liqueurs are an excellent substitute for this ingredient.

For those of us who enjoy a bit of booze in our daily lives, Krupnik is a nice addition. Off a tip from a fellow imbiber, we slipped it into our morning black tea, and it started the day off right! But since 8 am is usually too early to be hitting the sauce, we thought perhaps finding a few evening cocktails containing Krupnik might be in order.

So if you find yourself in possession of a bottle, here are some recipes for your new found treat!

Killer Bee
Why: A little something we picked up at Tales of the Cocktail

1 oz Jagermeister
1 oz Krupnik Honey Liqueur

Stir together with crushed ice. Garnish with Mint Leaves.

Air Mail
Why: Because it’s a classic, and it has bubbles.

2 oz Puerto Rican Rum
juice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon Krupnik Honey Liqueur
Top with Champagne

Shake all ingredients over ice, except champagne. Pour (unstrained) into glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with lime twist.

Champagne Polonaise
Why: Fruit, honey and Champagne. Sounds like a French vacation, no?

1/2 oz Creme de Cassis
1/4 oz Krupnik Honey Liqueur
4 oz Champagne

Pour all ingredients into Champagne glass. No Garnish needed.