Żubrówka (Polish pronunciation: [ʐuˈbrufka] (About this soundlisten); Russian: зубровка, romanizedzubrovka; Belarusian: зуброўка, romanizedzubroŭka), Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka is a Polish vodka, which contains a bison grass blade (Hierochloe odorata) in every bottle. The grass is sourced from the Białowieża Forest. Each blade of bison grass is hand-picked and dried under natural conditions. Żubrówka is available in more than 80 markets worldwide.

Typeflavored vodka
ManufacturerPolmos Białystok (Poland), Belalco (Belarus), Bulbash (Belarus),[1] Minsk Kristall (Belarus)[2] and others
Country of originPoland
Introduced16th century
Proof (US)80
Related productsList of vodkas

The brand was acquired by Roust International in 2013. CEDC International is one of the largest vodka producers and distributors of alcohol in Poland.


The words zubroŭka in the Belarusian language and zubrovka in Russian are the words for bison grass. In Polish, the word turówka is used for the grass. The name comes from zubr (Polish: żubr, pronounced [ʐubr]), the word for the European bison in many Slavic languages.


Żubrówka’s uniquely aromatic ingredient, bison grass, is named after the roaming herds of bison that graze on it. Rare and enigmatic, it grows in woodland glades so secret and remote even the national park guides don’t know its exact locations. By sight, bison grass is almost impossible to distinguish from normal grass.Hierochloe odorata, literally ‘holy fragrant grass’, has been revered for centuries for its aromatic properties.

At the height of summer, it gives off an intoxicating rich natural almond like vanilla scent, which the bison find irresistible.

The brandEdit

Currently the brands Zubrovka and Żubrówka are registered by Sojuzplodoimport/Russia and the Polmos Białystok company in Białystok, Poland.[3]

In popular cultureEdit

Methods of ConsumptionEdit

Żubrówka is usually served chilled on its own. A very popular alternative is mixing it with apple juice[5] (a drink known in Polish as tatanka (Lakota for "American bison") or szarlotka (Polish for "apple cake"); known in the UK as a Frisky Bison;[6] and in the US as a Polish Kiss). It is sometimes served over vanilla ice cream,[7] and another common mixer is ginger ale.[7] A "Black Bison" is żubrówka mixed with black currant juice.


  1. ^ Бульбашъ Зубровая [Bulbash Zubrovaya, a brand of Zubroŭka from Belarus]
  2. ^ Белорусская зубровка
  3. ^ Michaels, Daniel (2011-01-18). "Name Your Poison: How a Banned Polish Vodka Buffaloed Its Way Into the U.S." Wall Street Journal.
  4. ^ "kaiken takana on tarina". virtuaalibaari.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  6. ^ Cocktail:UK - Frisky Bison Cocktail
  7. ^ a b "Zubrowka Ginger Ale and ice cream". 2018-05-25. Retrieved 2018-05-25.

External linksEdit