Vodka, the history of the most versatile spirit in the world

For countless numbers of people, vodka was their introduction into the exciting world of spirits. Democratic and versatile, few have resisted the charms of a simple combination of vodka and pineapple or orange juice. Clean, fresh and pure, vodka is a perfect mixer, but also a drink in itself with a lot of character and personality. Let’s learn a little more about one of the most international spirits there is.

A bit of history

Vodka is the diminutive of the Slavic word voda (water), so it means “little water”. Although we always associate vodka with Russia, where it is also considered the national drink, unlike other spirits, this one’s specific origin is still an enigma.

The first record of the word vodka is said to date back to 1405, having been found in documents from the Sandomierz Palatinate in Poland, where it appears as wódka and refers to medicines. However, on the other hand, the word vodka written in Cyrillic comes from documents from 1533 that speak of a medicinal drink that was imported from Muscovy to Poland.

The battle to determine the origin of vodka does not end here. In the late 1970s, Poland and the Soviet Union fought for the exclusive rights to label their bottles with the name vodka, but the dispute ended in a stalemate, as both countries presented historical texts related to its origin, so it was decided not to establish a specific place of origin but rather to refer to a whole region which was called the “Vodka Belt”, extending from the countries of northeastern Europe to Scandinavia.

How is vodka made?

The first to make vodka were the monks who, looking for ways to make wine in places where the climate was so cold that vines couldn’t grow, found a solution by distilling the product they got from fermenting grains like rye and wheat, or starch-rich plants like potatoes and beets. So, put simply, vodka is mainly water and ethanol.

By the end of the 16th century, vodka drinking had spread throughout Eastern Europe, where it was made with whatever had been harvested. Soon vodka was being made all over the world and suddenly the Cîroc brand appeared, which started a new war.

The war of the “Vodka Belt”

In 2003, Cîroc, a French vodka distilled from grapes, was launched, bringing a softer and sweeter character, which is very different to traditional vodka distillations. The countries that are part of the “Vodka Belt” claimed that this new spirit could not be called vodka because it was not made from grain, potatoes or molasses. All this led to a new discussion among vodka-making countries with a definitive intervention from German politician Horst Schnellhardt, a former member of the European Parliament: those making spirits from anything other than potatoes, grains or molasses must label their bottles with “vodka made from...”

Today, this commitment allows consumers to identify the origin and production method of their favourite vodka.

A question of purity or personality?

One of the characteristics of vodka is its purity or absence of impurities, which makes it one of the most neutral and versatile spirits on the market. Purity is considered a positive factor and many distilleries have strived to produce the purest vodkas through two, three, four or more distillations. However, excessive distillation can cause the vodka to lose aromas and flavours, leaving it weak and lacking any personality.

The challenge for producers, as well as creating top quality vodkas, is to offer characteristics that result in a vodka with character and personality in every bottle.

The most versatile spirit in the world

Vodka can be enjoyed neat, but it is an excellent mixer, so it is best known for its contributions to cocktails. Using vodka brings strength to simpler drinks, like the classic Screwdriver, which packs delicious magic into a simple combination of vodka and orange juice, a combination that has been enjoyed by many as a gateway to the fascinating world of spirits.

Vodka is also the base of many classic cocktails, like the Martini, which can be made with both gin and vodka. The most popular hybrid mix (using both ingredients) is the Vesper Martini, a drink created by James Bond, the world's most famous secret agent. It is made with three measures of gin, one measure of vodka and half a measure of Kina Lillet. A cocktail that became popular thanks to the film Casino Royale, and according to Bond, it is even better if you use a vodka made from grains.

Another famous cocktail is the Moscow Mule: This one is made with ginger beer, two measures of vodka and fresh lime juice, and is usually served with lots of ice in an unusual copper mug. It happens to be very simple and refreshing.

Sorry to make you drool, but now we want to suggest three vodkas that will awaken all your senses.

Fancy giving them a try?

3 vodkas you should try at least once in your life

1. Cîroc

Let's start with a bone of contention. The French spirit that arrived on the market to revolutionise it with its daring suggestion of making vodka using of Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc grapes, which also undergoes 5 distillations. The story doesn’t end there; there are more than 10 different flavours! The one we are looking at here is Cîroc Vodka Ultrapremium, a smooth and exceptionally fresh and vibrant vodka with citrus aromas.

2. Crystal Head Vodka

Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley, authors of the book “Distilled”, call Dan Aykroyd “the maverick”. The name might not ring a bell at first, but this Canadian actor and writer has gone from being a ghost hunter to producing his own brand of vodka, Crystal Head, which is sold in a skull-shaped bottle, catching everyone’s attention. This vodka is more than an interesting bottle. It is made in Canada from a blend of the highest quality corn and wheat, glacier water, four distillations and triple filtering through quartz crystals known as Herkimer diamonds. Definitely a vodka that you have to try at least once in your life. Anecdotally, it was the vodka chosen as a special edition for the 50th anniversary of the British rock band, The Rolling Stones.

3. Purity Vodka 17

Sweden, as a vodka-producing country, may be best known for being the birthplace of Absolut, one of the most iconic vodkas out there. However, in this Scandinavian country, a significant number of vodka brands are produced, among which Purity stands out as one of the finest. Purity 17 is made from a blend of wheat and barley and is distilled slowly 17 times - yes, you read that right, it's distilled 17 times in a copper still! The process is so delicate that it results in a vodka of greater purity, flavour, and smoothness, with hints of grains and fruits. A true pleasure for the senses!

If you want to see even more, why not have a look at our vodka section, where you will find an interesting selection of the most international vodkas to enjoy at your leisure or to spark your creativity with the best cocktails.