| Vodka is the surprise package of the 20th | | | | 60s'. The affluent youth and numerous cocktails, |
| Century. From an unknown Russian drink to the | | | | for which vodka's odourless and tasteless |
| most widely used cocktail drink, it has been quite | | | | characteristics make it a perfect component, led |
| a journey. | | | | to the Vodka revolution. And Vodka surpassed |
| History Of Vodka | | | | Bourbon (American whiskey) as the largest selling |
| The exact history of vodka is not known. | | | | hard liquor. |
| However, it has its origins in a grain growing | | | | Production Of Vodka |
| region around what we know today as Poland, | | | | Vodka has traditionally been prepared with the |
| Western Russia and Ukraine. The word 'vodka' is | | | | cheapest grain available at hand. Vodka is mainly |
| derived from the Russian word 'voda', which | | | | made from starch. However certain Polish vodkas |
| means water. Experts believe that the first | | | | are based on potato. Even molasses is used |
| record of vodka was found somewhere around | | | | sometimes. Vodka is basically pure alcohol |
| the 9th Century. However, the first known | | | | (ethanol) and water. It is extremely similar to |
| distillery is around 200 years after that, around | | | | whiskey. Both are produced from fermented |
| the 11th Century, in Khylnovsk, Russia. | | | | mash. However, Vodka is distilled off at a very |
| The early process of distillation of vodka was | | | | high proof. Thus, by distilling vodka off at 190 |
| crude. Due to the limitations in technology of the | | | | proof, most of the flavour is lost and almost only |
| period, many impurities would remain behind and | | | | alcohol and water are left behind. Thus, the best |
| cause an unpleasant and unwanted taste. The | | | | vodka is tasteless, colourless and odourless. |
| early distillers would mask this by adding flavours | | | | Brands |
| to the vodka: The most common among them | | | | Some of the most popular and good quality |
| being absinthe, anisette, juniper, mint, pepper and | | | | vodka brands are Smirnoff, Grey Goose and |
| peppermint. | | | | Absolut. However, blind tastes often confirm, that |
| The Bolshevik Revolution, banned all private | | | | most of us cannot discern between the different |
| distilleries in Russia. Many of the master distillers | | | | brands of vodka. This is natural and desired, as |
| fled from the country: One of them being the son | | | | vodka is supposed to be tasteless as well as |
| of Master Distiller Smirnov. Vladimir Smirnov fled | | | | odourless. Hence, the brand of vodka, is a |
| to France to setup his distillery. Here he made | | | | personal preference. It is suggested to use any |
| contact with an American businessman and | | | | 'house' brand while using vodka in mixed drinks. |
| created the Smirnoff (the French version of his | | | | Vodkas also come in a variety of flavours. Brands |
| family name) brand. Vodka was publicized as a | | | | like Absolut and Smirnoff have an arsenal of |
| 'white whiskey' that left you 'breathless' (it did not | | | | flavoured vodkas. Some of the popular flavours |
| leave one with an alcohol breath). But, vodka | | | | include raspberry, citrus, orange, vanilla and |
| found its place only in the 1950s and 'swinging | | | | pepper. |