Cocktail Recipes of the World: Vodka

There is no way to tell where exactly Vodka was originated in, but for sure it is the dominant spirit of Eastern and Northern Europe. Countries like Finland, Sweden, Russian, Poland have made of this liquid part of their lives and culture. As a form of alcohol it was used for medical purposes, diluted with water could make great miracles in the cold life of Slavic people.

Vodka comes from the Slavic word: “Voda” that means “ little Water”. It is a clear transparent liquid that is product of the distillation of fermented potatoes or grains and also might have other materials. It contains a rank from 35% to 70% alcohol (ethanol). Today vodka is produced from corn or sorghum. However vodka has a superior quality when it has been made from rye and wheat. Other vodka is made from potatoes, molasses, grapes, soybeans, and other products that come from oil refining, wood pulp processing, and even produced by fermenting solutions of crystal sugar.

TYPES OF VODKAS

There are two groups:

1. Clear Vodka
2. Flavoured Vodka

Flavoured Vodka is produced often to improve clear vodka’s taste either to enjoy it as a spirit or as a medicine:

Chocolate vodka
Red pepper vodka
Ginger vodka
Vanilla vodka
Cinnamon vodka
Fruits flavored vodka
Honey and pepper vodka
Honey vodka
Etc…

Krepkaja

Strong, contains 56% alcohol, and only practiced drinkers like him purely. It is popular for cocktails.

Limonnaja

It contains 40% alcohol and aromatized with lemon peel. It is easy to identify for its deep yellow color.

Moskowskaja

Particularly mild due to its added ingredients: soda and sodium sulfate. The alcohol percentage is about 40%.

Ochotnitschja

"Hunter’s" Vodka is flavored with a mix of ginger, cloves, lemon peel, coffee, anise and other herbs and spices. It is then blended with sugar and a touch of a wine similar to white port. Unusual Vodka.

Perzowka

This vodka type makes the unprepared drinker tears in the eyes: it contains not only 45% alcohol, but also cayenne pepper seasoned. It is medicinally used for flatulence complaints and cold.

Starka

"Old" Vodka, a holdover from the early centuries of Vodka production, which can be infused with everything from fruit tree, leaves to brandy, Port, Malaga wine, and dried fruit. Some brands are aged in oak casks. The apples and pears leaves of the krim are distillated. After that the wine distillate and wine liquor are added. This vodka has an alcohol percentage of 43%.

Stolitschnaja

The name of vodka with 40% alcohol and a small quantity of sugar means "metropolitan".

Stolowaja

Strong vodka contains 50% alcohol.

Ukrainskaja

This type has a fine bouquet of linden tree honey flowers and contains 45% alcohol.

Zobrowka

Vodka with 40% alcohol strong aromatized with buffalo grass. There are uncountable liquors made with vodka. They are called NASTOIKA if they are made on the basis of spices and NALIVKA if they have been produced on the basis of berries. Zubrowka in Polish.

Kubanskaya

Vodka flavored with an infusion of dried lemon and orange peels.

Vodka is drunk pure in Eastern European and Scandinavian countries but its popularity in the world consists in its many ways to be mixed and preparing cocktails that have become with the time in the most appreciated and famous around the globe. Cocktails like: Screwdriver, Bloody Mary, White Russian are mixed drinks that everybody has tried or will try in a time of their lives.

VODKA REGIONS

At the present time every country produces Vodka with their local flavored specialties but undoubtedly Eastern Europe is the homeland of Vodka production.

Russia, Ukraine and Belarus produce the full range of Vodka types, and are generally well known for being the leaders in Vodka production. Only the better brands, all of which are distilled from rye and wheat, are exported to the West.

Poland produces and exports both grain- and potato-based Vodkas. Most of the high- quality brands are produced in pot stills.

Finland, along with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, produce primarily grain-based Vodkas, mostly from wheat.

Sweden has in recent decades developed a substantial export market for its straight and flavored wheat based Vodkas.

Western Europe has local brands of Vodka wherever there are distilleries. The base for these Vodkas can vary from grains in northern countries such as the United Kingdom, Holland, and Germany, to grapes and other fruits in the winemaking regions of France and Italy.

The United States and Canada produce non-flavored Vodkas, both from various grains (including corn) and from molasses. American Vodkas are, by law, neutral spirits, so the distinction between brands is more a matter of price and perception than taste.

The Caribbean produces a surprising amount of Vodka, all of it from molasses. Most of it is exported for blending and bottling in other countries.

Australia produces molasses-based Vodkas, but few are exported.

Asia has a smattering of local Vodkas, with the best coming from Japan.