You may be asking yourself what’s more left to say about Italian word bevande, meaning a drink or beverage?
Well, we’ll jump over the Adriatic sea into Croatia, on its Dalmatian coast (travel notes) to expand the meaning of word. Historically word was inherited by Croats in Dalmatia from Venetians who for centuries also ruled with Istria, parts of Dalmatian coastline including some of the islands in Adriatic.
Once you end up on Croatian side of Adriatic bevanda is no longer any drink but wine mixed with water.
Bukara or Bokun may be used to bring wine from konoba. Then, wine is poured into a glass and mixed with water.
Since summer along the coast and hinterland in background can get very dry and hot locals started to mix wine with water to keep “happiness” part under control, while in the same time replacing liquids and minerals lost trough the sweat. That tradition did not die with old generations of Dalmatians and still lives on in word bevanda.
Today wine making in Croatia (map), once again, is in a full swing. Variety of Dalmatian wines will accompany Mediterranean dishes but bevanda will make a great refreshment, second to non, at any time of the day. That becomes the truth especially in the afternoon, right after siesta, when it’s the perfect time to head to a nearest konoba (tavern), to cool down with refreshing bevanda.
Unwritten rule to mix wine and water for bevanda:
- 2/3 wine + 1/3 water, or
- 1/2 wine + 1/2 water
So, feel free, once in Dalmatia (travel notes), to order bevanda.
