Rectified Spirit BZK (Spirytus Rektyfikowany Spożywczy) 50cl / 95%
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BZK Rectified Spirit is a food-grade rectified spirit at 95% ABV in a 50cl bottle, sold as an ingredient for homemade liqueurs, infusions and baking. Its label name, Spirytus Rektyfikowany Spożywczy, means edible rectified spirit, and in Polish kitchens it is simply called spirytus. Because it is almost pure alcohol and neutral in taste, it draws flavour and colour out of fruit, herbs and nuts without adding a character of its own. It must never be drunk undiluted: always mix it with water, juice or syrup first.
What BZK Rectified Spirit is used for
Rectified spirit is an ingredient, not a drink. Its main use is nalewka, the Polish tradition of steeping fruit, herbs or nuts in strong alcohol and then sweetening the result: sour cherries, quince, or blackcurrants and raspberries from the garden. It also makes homemade lemon or honey vodka, and a small amount, well diluted, goes into soaking syrups for babka and layered cakes. Some cooks use it for home-made vanilla extract too.
How to make a simple nalewka with BZK Rectified Spirit
Knowing how to dilute rectified spirit is the first step: about 700 ml of cooled boiled water per 50cl bottle brings it to roughly 40%, while about 200 ml gives around 70%, a good strength for drawing out fruit. For a basic cherry nalewka recipe, cover 1 kg pitted sour cherries with the bottle diluted with 200 ml water, seal the jar and leave it in a cool place for four to six weeks. Strain off the spirit, cover the fruit with 300 g sugar for two weeks, then combine the syrup with the spirit, filter and rest for three months.
How it compares
Duch Puszczy Rectified Spirit is sold to the same 95% ABV and 50cl specification, so either works for the same recipes and dilution ratios. For a finished vodka that needs no preparation, Siwucha is bottled at 40% ABV and ready to pour, whereas BZK is a raw material that only becomes drinkable once diluted and flavoured.
Good to know
At 95% ABV this spirit is highly flammable, so keep it away from flames and hobs, store it tightly closed and keep it well out of reach of children. Wodka Company sells BZK Rectified Spirit 50cl to adult customers across the UK, shipping from London. One bottle is enough for a large jar of nalewka, which can become a personal Christmas present the following winter.
Po polsku
BZK Spirytus Rektyfikowany Spożywczy to spirytus zbożowy o mocy 95% w butelce 0,5 l, destylowany siedem razy. Jest czysty i neutralny, więc przenosi smak owoców i ziół, nie dodając własnego. Służy do domowych nalewek i nastawów, na przykład wiśniówki, pigwówki czy orzechówki, a po rozcieńczeniu także do syropów do nasączania ciast. To składnik, a nie trunek: nigdy nie pij go nierozcieńczonego. Aby uzyskać około 40%, wystarczy połączyć butelkę z mniej więcej 700 ml przegotowanej, ostudzonej wody.
Frequently asked questions
What nalewka can I make with BZK Rectified Spirit?
BZK Rectified Spirit is suited to almost any nalewka: sour cherry (wiśniówka), quince (pigwówka), blackcurrant or lemon (cytrynówka). Fruit is steeped in diluted spirit for several weeks, then sweetened, filtered and left to mature.
Why use BZK Rectified Spirit instead of vodka for nalewka?
Rectified spirit such as BZK is far stronger than vodka, so it extracts more aroma and colour from fruit and still reaches drinking strength after mixing with fruit juice, syrup and water. Its neutral taste also lets the fruit lead.
Can I make lemon vodka with BZK Rectified Spirit?
Yes. For a simple cytrynówka, steep the pared zest of four unwaxed lemons in a bottle of BZK Rectified Spirit for a few days, then strain and mix with lemon juice and a cooled sugar syrup. Rest it for a couple of weeks before serving chilled.
