Where Does Vodka Come From?

Although vodka is often thought to be Russian, its true origins are unclear. Vodka originated from either Russia or Poland. In both their languages, vodka means “water” since it was a beverage that was drunk often and it was so commonly consumed that vodka may as well have been water. It was also a Russian scientist who is credited for first producing vodka with higher alcohol content. Vodka as a flavorless mixer in cocktails was popularized in America, and following after World War II, Western Europe.

Although the exact date of the first creation of vodka is unknown, people have speculated as to where vodka comes from. Historians believe the drink was first created either during the 8th or 9th century. Compared to the vodka we are familiar with today, however, the spirit at that time had a different flavor, color, and smell.

Initially vodka was distilled from cheap ingredients that were locally found such as potatoes and grains. Vodka was also flavored with different herbs and spices to mask its not so desirable taste and smell.

The quality gradually improved after the discovery and practice of distilling spirits. It spread across France, Italy, and all over Europe during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Despite the continued disputes and legal battles between Poland and Russia, the oldest account with the word vodka comes from a Polish manuscript, which dates back to 1405. That written document they say, officially started the history of vodka and may be the definitive answer to where does vodka come from.

Uses of Vodka

Before vodka was used for cocktail-making, it was first used for medicinal purposes. Accounts have shown that vodka was used for body rubs, anesthetics, and even aftershave solutions. Pharmacies which were situated in Eastern European towns and villages, became popular gathering places where people socialized and purchased their “water.”

During the 15th century, vodka officially became Poland and Russia’s national beverage and it started to be used beyond its medicinal purposes. For a century, vodka has been in the west barley family and in 1930, it was first introduced in America as a white whiskey. There are now two main categories of vodka: traditional, Eastern vodkas and more neutral Western vodkas. Western vodka is distilled so as to have no taste or flavor, but eastern variety has a more distinct flavor. Today, about 25 percent of all spirits sales comes from vodka, officially making it the world’s most popular spirit. Its popularity is credited to the fact that the spirit is a staple ingredient in many cocktail recipes and mixed drinks. Since it often has no flavor, vodka is regarded as a neutral spirit for mixing.

How Vodka Is Made

Countries from all over the world make their vodka in different ways. Sweden and Russia makes use of wheat; Finland uses barley; while Poland uses potato and rye. Vodka can also be made from fruit, sugar beets, molasses, and even grapes.

To make vodka, the ingredients and the liquid have to go through a distillation process that will remove almost all of its original flavors. To strip vodka of its flavors, it had to be distilled about 6 times and must also be run through charcoal. This removes any last bit of taste left. This purification process leaves a spirit that is clear, tasteless, and odorless. By theory, a clear and white spirit can go through the distillation process from anything that is fermented.

As a result of the distillation process, real and true vodka will have almost no flavor. However, many companies today are now manufacturing flavored vodka which uses berries and citrus fruits as variations on the standard drink. At home, you can easily make your own flavored vodka by adding rinds of lemons, limes and oranges in vodka. The longer they sit there, the more flavorful the vodka will be. Vodka today is commonly used in cocktail-making in pubs and other happening nightspots. Adding vodka to beverages is a quick way to boost their alcohol level without affecting the overall flavor of the drink.

Poplar vodka-based drinks include: the Fuzzy Navel, Kamikaze, Cosmopolitan, Black Russian, Screwdriver, and Sea Breeze.

UK's Gin and Vodka Association states that vodka has even overtaken whisky as UK’s biggest-selling spirit. Vodka sales in Germany and southern Europe are also shooting up. Vodka’s annual worth is 12 billion, globally.