The national drink of the Russians, vodka is now a popular drink all over the world. Whether in shot form or as a cocktail, it is a drink enjoyed by young and old alike. The exact origins of the spirit, which can be easily made from potatoes or cereals, are uncertain, but some records suggest that it has been around since the 16th century when its ingredients were readily available. As providers of distilling equipment for all manner of drinks, we wanted to dig into the history of this classic spirit.
The Origin and History of Vodka
One of the main characteristics of good vodka is its purity, i.e. it is colourless and odourless. The Russian name for vodka means ‘little water’. The origins of the first vodka are still obscure, as some languages claim that Russia was the first country to produce their national favourite, while others believe that it was Poland.
Legend has it that the drink was first made by Russian monks in secluded Russian monasteries in the 1500s and that the discovery was the refreshing result of constant experimentation.
It is a fact that vodka is a pleasant drink wherever it comes from. It was also known that, because it was a cheap spirit to produce, almost anyone could afford it. With vodka, it’s easy for producers as there are no special processes like there are for classic whisk(e)y or cognac, where oak barrels are required and the spirit is aged for several years. Today, however, vodka producers have also become increasingly competitive and several countries have joined the ranks of vodka producers.
We have seen more and more distilleries coming out with premium, high-end products, and the market for premium vodkas has seen incredible growth.
Most people reach for vodka as the basis for a nice long drink, whether it’s a simple vodka soda, vodka orange, or vodka wonders with an energy drink twist. But there’s no shortage of exciting vodka-based cocktails either, think a Pink Cadillac, Cosmopolitan or Bloody Mary.
How Is It Made?
Let’s go step-by-step through the basics of vodka making:
- The first step is to make the mash, where the raw material is mashed, mixed with water, heated for about an hour, then left to stand for 1-2 weeks after adding yeast.
- In the next step, the mash is poured into the boiling chamber of a purpose built or universal still and the vodka is made. The last 0.5-1 decilitre of the distillate must be poured out, as it is very harmful to the human body due to its methanol content.
- Once the distillation is finished, you can soften the vodka by filtering it, the more times you filter it, the more perfect the result will be.
- Once you have the filtered vodka, you can start diluting it, as dilution is essential for very high alcohol spirits. It’s worth noting here that the expected appropriate alcohol content of vodka is between 37.5% and 40%.
What Is Vodka Made From?
It has already been mentioned that potatoes and cereals are traditionally the basic ingredients, but any agricultural raw material containing sugar or starch can be used to make the Russians’ favourite alcoholic drink. One thing is for sure, although each nation has its own ideas about vodka making, its basics, and its consumption habits, the popularity of this simple drink is undiminished to this day.
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