Tea drinking according to Dostoevsky – Kommersant

Radisson Sonya Hotel, St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, located in the historical center of the city, is inspired by F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment. The concept of the boutique hotel was developed by Swedish designers and architects from the STYLT Trampoli bureau, inspired by one of the most significant works of world literature.

This winter, they began offering “Tea drinking in Dostoevsky style” – it turns out that this was one of the writer’s passions. Dostoevsky’s love for tea is known through his works, memoirs of his contemporaries and diaries, including those of his wife. At night, when he worked, there was always a glass of strong tea next to him, and the samovar certainly had to remain hot. At Radisson Sonya Hotel, St. Petersburg recreated the recipe according to which the writer brewed his drink: he put two spoons of strong tea leaves in a teapot, then filled it halfway with boiling water and waited for the tea to brew. Then he topped it up and then sweetened it with two pieces of sugar – already in the cup.

At the hotel, tea is always served with gifts that were in the Dostoevskys’ house: hearty pies with various fillings and sweet pastries, crackers and gingerbread cookies, marshmallows and shortbread cookies, honey, homemade jam, dried fruits. The hotel’s chef, Alexandra Alpatova, comments: “Tea a la Dostoyevsky is not just a tea ceremony, it is part of the national culture and traditions, which helps strengthen ties between people and create a warm atmosphere.”