Indulgences

1. водка

   vodka

   Vodka

   Usage

   Drunk from a рюмка (ryumka), a small stemmed glass, and accompanied by закуска (zakuska), a snack

2. пиво

   pivo

   Beer

3. медовуха

   medovukha

   Medovukha (honey mead)

   Usage

   A low-alcohol drink (roughly 1-9%) fermented from honey and water, widely sold in tourist shops

4. настойка

   nastoyka

   Nastoyka (infused spirit)

   Usage

   A spirit infused with fruit, nuts or herbs; the same word also means a medicinal tincture

5. наливка

   nalivka

   Nalivka (sweet fruit liqueur)

   Usage

   The sweet fruit type of настойка (nastoyka), around 18-20% alcohol

6. самогон

   samogon

   Samogon (home-distilled spirit)

   Usage

   A strong spirit distilled at home; strength and quality vary from maker to maker

7. коньяк

   kon'yak

   Brandy (labelled "cognac")

   Usage

   In the CIS countries any brandy meeting the local standard is labelled коньяк (kon'yak)

8. шампанское

   shampanskoye

   Sparkling wine (labelled "champagne")

   Usage

   In Russia the word is also used for sparkling wines not made in the French Champagne region

9. сигареты

   sigarety

   Cigarettes

   Usage

   Usually kept in closed cabinets in shops, so you name the brand and ask for it

   Grammar Note

   сигареты (sigarety) is plural; a single cigarette is сигарета (sigareta)

10. кальян

    kal'yan

    Hookah

    Usage

    A pipe that draws smoke through water; whether a venue may serve it depends on the place and the rules

11. семечки

    semechki

    Sunflower seeds

    Usage

    Roasted seeds in the shell; you crack them and eat only the kernel — a classic outdoor snack

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