How to choose Vodka?

The origins of vodka remain unclear, with several countries arguing about its exact origins. Poland, Finland, Sweden and, of course, Russia all claim to be the home of the drink. The Russians are probably closest to the truth, as the first written references to vodka date back to 14th century Russia. In Tsarist Russia, vodka was not only an important element of social life, but also played an important role in politics. Vodka simply belonged at the parties of the Tsar's court. Interestingly, until the 18th century, vodka was around 20 % alcohol, as opposed to 40 % today.

The term "vodka" can at least partly be explained by its origin in Slavic languages, meaning "water". Traditionally, grain and potatoes are used to make vodka, but it is also made from sugar beet or fruit. Different countries have their preferred raw materials - in Finland it is barley, in Sweden rye, and in Poland potatoes. The production process starts with breaking the basic raw material into small pieces which are left to ferment.

The resulting liquid is then distilled several times to obtain pure alcohol. Activated charcoal is often used to purify the vodka, through which it is fermented. After this process, we have pure vodka, but it is too strong, so it is further diluted with water.

The name wódka first appeared in Poland in 1405, but at that time it did not yet describe an alcoholic beverage. It was a medicinal and cosmetic product. The Poles called vodka gorzałka. It was not until 1982 that the Court of Justice in The Hague recognised the Soviet Union as the first producer of an alcoholic beverage with the name vodka. The Russians are proud of their cultural heritage and have several stories to tell about the origins of their favourite spirit.

Vodka is clear, without a distinctive taste and smell, so it is an integral part of mixed drinks. It is very popular with bartenders and goes well with drinks such as Cosmopolitan, Moscow Mule, Vodka Martini or Bloody Mary.

Vodka is one of the most popular spirits in the world. In 2012, approximately 4,44 billion litres were drunk in total, making it the best-selling spirit. It was similar in 2019 and 2020, when Smirnoff Red vodka was among the top sellers. Traditionally, it is made from grains such as sorghum, corn, rice, rye or wheat, but modern recipes can also include potatoes or grapes. The Vodka Declaration states that vodka can be described as a spirit drink with a minimum alcohol content of 37,5% in European Union countries. Most countries also require a minimum of triple distillation of vodka.

Vodka is divided into three basic categories:

• Pure vodka
• Flavored vodka
• Grain vodka