Rythmik’s festive Spiced Apple Pie

Round & About

Rythmik founders Natasha & Antosh Samek tell us about their Spiced Apple Pie cocktail, inspired by their beloved 102-year old Babcia

here’s nothing quite like the festive season in Bucks – a time for warmth, community, and a touch of nostalgia. For the team behind Rythmik, that feeling is captured perfectly in their Spiced Apple Pie cocktail, a creation inspired by Babcia, the cheerful Polish grandmother whose magic seems straight out of a storybook. 
 
Babcia, who has lived in Amersham for more than 80 years, is famed for her laughter, kindness, and, of course, her classic apple pie. Her kitchen smells of cinnamon, apples, and freshly baked pastry and her spirit mirrors the vibrancy of the local Polish community. It was this very pie that inspired Rythmik to create their signature festive drink, blending aromatic Żubrówka bison-grass vodka with warming cinnamon and citrus. Stirred with cloudy apple juice, the result evokes the comforting flavours of Babcia’s family favourite – a drink that locals are hailing as “Christmas in a glass.” 
 
Tash Samek from Rythmik tells us: “It’s perfect either chilled over ice or gently warmed in a saucepan or urn, offering a sophisticated alternative to classic mulled wine this festive season.” Whether at local  markets or festive events, the Spiced Apple Pie cocktail has become a must-try, with queues quickly forming as word spreads. This year, the Rythmik team have made it even more gift-friendly, introducing a 200ml bottle alongside the 500ml – ideal for secret Santa presents or stocking fillers. 
 
The cocktail’s roots run deep into community life. Babcia is at the heart of Amersham’s Polish community, a hub of tradition, friendship and shared heritage. Even as local venues such as the Polish Club in Raans Road have closed, the spirit of the community endures. “This Christmas, we’ll do what we always have,” says Tash. “We’ll celebrate a Polish Christmas Eve (“Wigilia”), all bundled into my grandma’s lounge, enjoying the traditional courses from beetroot soup to pickled herrings. On Christmas Day, we’ll switch to a traditional English Christmas with turkey, gifts, games and music – always finishing with the Spiced Apple Pie cocktail, of course!” 
 
Long before Tash & Antosh founded Rythmik, the cocktail was already a holiday staple, appearing on the menu of Antosh’s bar under its previous name, Szarlotka – the very name of Babcia’s apple pie. Her own remarkable life story – surviving eviction from her home in Eastern Europe during the war, exile in Siberia, and resettlement in England – adds a poignant depth to this festive tipple. 
 
Throughout December, you’ll find Rythmik at key festive markets across Bucks, including the Old Amersham Christmas Festival, 4–8pm on Friday, 5th December. Whether sipping warm or cold, the Spiced Apple Pie cocktail offers a taste of history, heritage and heart – a true local treasure.