Vodka has been sipped, downed and applied across the globe for centuries. Originating in Eastern Europe towards the end of the 9th century the name is derived from the Russian word ‘voda’ meaning water. It was primarily used for medicinal purposes and as an ingredient in gun powder during the Middle Ages but during the 14th century became an established drink in Russia and by the middle of the 16th century was recognised as the national drink of Poland and Finland. But what is vodka made from?
In order to make vodka you need to ferment any foodstuff that contains either sugar or starch. This must then be distilled to increase the alcohol content. The process of fermentation involves feeding sugar to yeast so that the yeast produces alcohol. Vodka can be made of a variety of foods such as fermented grains, including rice, rye, sorghum, corn or wheat. It is also possible to use potatoes, fruits or even sugar alone.
This initial fermentation stage produces a liquid with only around 16 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) which is too low to be classified as a spirit. To increase the ABV content the product needs to be distilled. This is the process through which the weak alcoholic concoction is heated in a still. Since the boiling point for alcohol is lower than that of water it is possible to collect the evaporated alcohol vapour and separate it out from the water. Most of the vodka on sale is around the 40% mark but it can get as high as 95 or so percent although there is a limit to the allowable alcoholic content of drinks in many countries.
Fact: In 2012 the world’s consumption of vodka was 4.44 billion litres. Russia accounted for nearly 2 billion worth of this! That’s an average of 14 litres per year per person for your average Russian.
A strawberry summer slush is the perfect concoction to chill you out in the heat of the sun whilst relaxing on a beach somewhere exotic! Or if you don't happen to be sunning yourself in a picture perfect, sun-drenched location then you can enjoy the drink whilst daydreaming about your next jaunt!
This flirtatious cocktail adds a bubbly, pineapple twist to a Cosmopolitan. If you are feeling frugal switch the champagne for a Prosecco (arguably a more palatable fizz at a fraction of the cost).
Who doesn’t take great pleasure in requesting “One Screaming Orgasm please!” tee he, he?! This is a cocktail that tastes sweet and harmless but the combination of spirit plus spirit with a mixer of spirit is a lethal one!
Pure boozy, chocolaty indulgence; these chocolate martin's should be sipped not gulped, especially seeing as they are both alcohol, alcohol mixed with alcohol!
The Bloody Mary is renowned as a hangover cure in a hair of the dog, let’s keep on the sauce kind of a way!
Russian Standard is clean, perfectly clear and smooth. Although a premium brand it can often be found on the supermarket shelf with an offer sticker, making it all the more appealing!
The Brand:
Smirnoff is by far and away the biggest producer of vodka in the world today. It outstrips the nearest competitor (Absolut) by 50%.
Vodka is a neutral spirit that tends not to have a distinctive flavour or taste in its untampered form. Vodka is generally not aged and can be made using a range of accessible materials and ingredients such as potatoes, grains, sugars, fruit and most things that are capable of being fermented. This makes it a spirit that is easy to produce in a relatively short space of time.