Many of us would agree that Vodka is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages worldwide. But how many of us have an idea of its origin, who invented Vodka, what’s its history, and more? Therefore, this blog is about the fascinating story of Vodka and some key moments in history related to this spirit. So sit back with a shot and see what’s coming up.
A Brief Introduction
Loved and known for its clean and smooth taste, Vodka is a preferred and beloved drink globally. How conveniently it gets mixed with multiple beverages is a trait that adds love to its ability to be better than other drinks. Coming to its history, it takes us back to the 9th Century AD.
The most popular grains used to make vodka are wheat, rye, and barley, which are crushed into fine flour and combined with water before being distilled. The first step in the vodka production process is to distill fermented grains or potatoes. Impurities are removed from the distilled liquid by filtering it through charcoal and/or quartz sand. Vodka usually has an abv of roughly 40%.
For different flavors, certain fruits, herbs, and spices are used. This is the reason why we have so many flavors of Vodka available. Some of the more popular vodka flavors include cranberry, lime, grapefruit, and peppermint. Vodka is now a staple beverage in many parts of the world.
Also Read: About Vodka’s Shelf Life: How Long Does Vodka Last
Who Invented Vodka?
The origin of Vodka comes from the Eastern Europe region. If not known, it’s believed so. Some also believe that Vodka’s origin is Russia, invented by Isidore from Chudov Monastery in Russia. He was not particularly trying to invent Vodka but was working to find a solution to make wine last longer. In that attempt, he distilled it and Vodka was invented. In the Russian language, the meaning of Vodka is “little water.”
Manufactured in the Middle Ages between the twelfth and the 13th century, most explanations also lead one to the current region of Italy, where grapes were used to make aqua vitae, which was then exchanged with Eastern Europe. Alcohol that had been distilled was approved and drunk by Poland and Russia by the early 1500s.
What’s The Origination Point of Vodka?
To name a country or place that’s known to originate Vodka, that’s still unclear. But we have two popular names that are known to give Vodka to this world. It’s Poland and Russia back in the 8th or 9th century. The word Voda comes from Russia and the word Woda comes from Poland. Voda means Vodka and Woda means Wodka.
When compared with how Vodka is used today, the story and profile are entirely different from earlier times. From taste and color, to smell, everything was different. It was used like a medicine used in treating many conditions. One of the first medical uses for vodka was as an antibacterial agent. It was also used for wound cleaning and disinfection. In addition, vodka was utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including the flu, the common cold, and even cancer. It was frequently combined with herbs and other components to make therapeutic elixirs. Vodka was also famously called a bread wine. It’s because it was made of rye bread.
It was the time of World War II when Vodka became extremely famous in Russia and Poland. To keep Russian soldiers warm, Vodka was provided. On the other hand, the Polish army uses Vodka to pass on information from one place to another.
It was after World War II that Vodka became the talk of the town throughout Europe. In existence for centuries, it was the time of the late 1940s when Vodka got the popularity it deserved. Though there were unlimited reasons for this popularity, the fact that Vodka could be produced cheaply and in larger quantities was one of the major reasons. This became a reason why many people who couldn’t afford expensive drinks switched to Vodka as a cheaper means to get drunk.
Vodka became highly popular in America during the 1950s due to its use in drinks such as the Moscow Mule and the Bloody Mary.
History of Flavored Vodka
When the first flavored Vodka came on the market, it was 1986. It was after 7 long years of launching the brand that a Pepper Flavored Vodka hit the market. After this hit, now almost every Vodka brand was offering flavored Vodka in so many options. This is a popular vodka style among consumers. Many people believe that flavored vodka is the greatest alcohol for shots and ideal for drinking neat.
Flavored vodkas appear regularly on happy hour lists and other menu categories, and some happy hour themes revolve around them. Many drink specials are unique blends created by the bartenders, and they frequently include flavored vodkas.
Martinis, for example, come in seasonal flavors, so bars should keep a variety of flavor options in their liquor storage cabinets (find out more about other wonderful drinks to know as a barman) and liquor bottle display cases.
History Of Polish Vodka
As the name clearly says, Polish Vodka is the Vodka made in Poland. You must know that it’s a popular Vodka worldwide. Rye, wheat, barley, and potatoes are some of the popular base ingredients used to make Vodka.
Poland is where modern vodka first appeared. Polish vodka’s exact origins are still uncertain. Some say that vodka was created in the early fifteenth century by a monk by the name of Stańczyk, while others say that Prince Jan III Sobieski was the one who popularized vodka in Poland.
Polish vodka has been used as a medicine since the Middle Ages. Doctors frequently recommended vodka because of the belief that it may help treat a variety of ailments. “Gorzalka” is the word for vodka, and it implies to burn.
In the 1600s, vodka gained popularity in Krakow, Poland. There, in the late 1500s, was where Jan Sobieski, a Polish vodka manufacturer, originally distilled it. Vodka satisfied Sobieski’s need for a beverage that would keep him warm throughout the chilly Polish winters.
Poland started to become a major producer of vodka in the 18th century. This was made possible in part by Augustus III, the Polish ruler, who encouraged the production of vodka because he was a huge vodka enthusiast.
History Of Russian Vodka
The name Russian Vodka because it originated in Russia. The base ingredients used to make Russian Vodka are wheat, rye, and barley. Russian Vodka is known to be a high-quality spirit because it is distilled multiple times.
Eastern Europe is where vodka is thought to have originated, where fermented wheat and barley were used to make it. But it’s unclear exactly where vodka originated. The Russian monks are credited by some historians for creating vodka. The vodka invention is attributed to one monk from Chudov Monastery, Isidore.
It was in the 15th century that Vodka prices were going higher due to its high demand. Furthermore, to raise the value of vodka, Ivan the Terrible, the tsar of the time, imposed limitations on its production. Russians thought they were being taxed unfairly, which only led to instability among them. Many of them started making their own vodka as a result. Before the Serfdom Abolition Act, this was the situation for more than a century.
The Russian people were released from the tsar’s constraints when serfdom was abolished in 1861. This made it possible for them to lawfully create vodka and contributed to its rise in popularity. As a result, a considerably purer vodka product was produced.
To lessen the negative impact that vodka was having on the Russian army and civilian population, Tsar Nicholas II outlawed it in 1914 for the duration of World War 1. He lost a third of the money he was depending on to fund the war, therefore this backfired on him.
Vodka gained so much popularity after World War II that it was being mass-produced everywhere. A number of American firms, such as Smirnoff, Seagram, and Heublein, made vodka.
History Of Vodka in Sweden
In the late 15th century, vodka made its debut under the name “brännvin” in Sweden. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that it became a widely used product. At this time, the distillery’s machinery saw significant improvements.
The term Brannvin was later changed to vodka by Sweden in the 1950s. One of the largest vodka firms, Absolut, was founded in 1979. It rose to become one of the most well-known vodka brands worldwide.
Regulations were amended to allow privately owned enterprises to begin making vodka when Sweden joined the EU in 1995.
Conclusion
Two of the countries in Eastern Europe with a long and well-known vodka history are Russia and Poland. This blog makes it evident that the beverage has a diverse history, which is right given the range of ways it is prepared and enjoyed globally.