Top 7 Polish Non-Alcoholic Drinks (Kwas, Kompot & more)

This list covers the greatest Polish non-alcoholic drinks to taste when visiting this vibrant nation. If you like fruity, creamy, or tart drinks, Poland has one for you.

So relax and explore Polish beverages’ wide and delightful universe.

Don’t forget to check out Polish alcoholic drinks as well to find out about the most popular Polish beer and Polish liqueur options.

7 Best Polish Non-Alcoholic Drinks

But for now, let’s focus on these refreshing drinks!

Kompot

Polish kompot is a popular drink created by simmering apples, pears, berries, and plums in water with sugar.

Simmering the fresh fruit releases their juices to create a delicious drink. You can strain it to get rid of any fruit chunks or leave it as-is.

Kompot is a homemade drink that uses seasonal fruit so it can be virtually made any time of the year as an alternative to sodas or juices.

Kisiel

Kisiel is a delicious fruit dessert prepared with fruit juice, sugar and starch. It has a jelly-like consistency which allows it to be served both as a dessert or as a drink.

Strawberries and raspberries are very popular kisiel flavors in Poland. 

It’s one of the most common drinks in Ukraine, where it’s called kysil’, and it’s also popular in a number of European countries.

Kisiel mleczny is another Polish variant of kisiel made from milk and potato starch. But this one is a pudding rather than a drink.

I love fruit drinks, so both kompot and kisiel sound amazing. However, you have yet to see my favorite one, and it’s coming up next.

Kwas Chlebowy

Kwas chlebowy is a Polish rye bread fermented drink. It’s called “bread kvass” and tastes somewhat tangy.

Rye bread is soaked in water and fermented for several days to produce Kwas Chlebowy, then filtered to remove any solids.

In summer, Kwas chlebowy is a popular drink in Poland to satisfy thirst. Its low alcohol concentration (0.5-1.0%) makes it a low-alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

I think it’s a perfect drink if you’re looking for something unique to try in Poland.

Zsiadłe Mleko

Zsiadłe mleko is also known as soured milk or cultured buttermilk, the result of natural fermentation of milk. This Polish dairy product has a tangy taste and a thick consistency.

Sour milk contains calcium, protein, and gut-healthy probiotics. So it’s also a healthy drink you can add to your daily diet.

Zsiadłe mleko is used in cooking, baking, and as a beverage. It’s a famous Polish ingredient to serve with potatoes and other foods.

Kefir

When kefir grains are mixed with cow’s milk, you get kefir, a popular drink in Poland and other Eastern European countries.

Kefir adds a creamy, tangy taste to Polish meals and is often eaten or drunk on its own. It’s said to improve digestion and boost the immune system due to its probiotic content.

Podpiwek

Podpiwek is a non-alcoholic drink with 0.5% alcohol. It’s popular in Poland and Lithuania.

After pouring boiling water over malt flour, yeast is added, and the mixture is sealed to ferment. The ideal flavor profile for podpiwek is dark, bittersweet, and naturally foamy.

It is commonly brewed at home with roasted coffee beans, dry hops, yeast, water, and sugar. You can buy podpiwek ready-made or a dry herb combination to make it.

Oranżada (Orange-flavored Soda)

Similar to orange soda, Oranżada is a popular Polish soft drink based on water, sugar, and orange juice concentrate.

It came to Poland in the 18th century from France and quickly gained recognition.

Many Polish people remember childhood and summer holidays with this drink. So this nostalgic feel makes it a competitor to Fanta and other orange sodas.

Which Polish drink is your favorite! Share it in the comments!

 Looking for Polish recipes to go with your drinks? Check out these amazing Polish breakfasts and simple authentic snacks.

If you want to know what alcohol people drink in my country, head to my blog post about alcoholic drinks from Ukraine.