National Vodka Day Sale in Malaysia!
Raise a toast to Vodka on 4 October – one of the world’s most popular distilled liquors, because it is National Vodka Day!
Vodka is believed to be a Russian drink created by monks in the 8th century. Different types of vodka can be traced back to Sweden and Poland too.
The word “Vodka” in Slavic means “little water”, and the Russian word “Voda” means water.
Vodka was presented to Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy in Moscow as a gift from the Genoese ambassador, contributing to its growing reputation among government officials and royalty.
However, it wasn’t until World War II that other countries outside of Europe, with the US being the first, started producing vodka.
Fun facts about vodka
The alcohol by volume (ABV) content for vodka ranges from 37.5 to 40% as standard, but some can reach a high 95% ABV, which is often meant for medicinal purposes.
Healthy for heart
It is traditionally believed that drinking a moderate amount of vodka could improve heart health.
Gluten-free
But that’s not all. Vodka is also a healthier drink than beer as it contains no cholesterol, fats, sodium, yeast, or carbohydrates. Due to its distillation process, the gluten protein is removed. Therefore, don’t feel too bad drinking vodka if you’re on a keto or low-carb diet.
A cleaning agent and disinfectant
Interestingly, aside from being good for our health, the properties of spirits like vodka are a bane to bacteria and nasty odors. It can be an all-natural method to remove odors and, to a certain extent, clean various surfaces around the house.
Tapeworm buster
Last but not least, the Vodka Tapeworm Shot – although we highly do not recommend trying this at home. The ungodly combination of a literal parasite, its eggs, and vodka – things that will make your stomach turn even before you take the first shot.
The science behind the drink – yes, there is some chemistry involved – is that the alcohol in vodka effectively kills and sterilizes the tapeworm and its eggs. This drink is famously known as a hangover cure and we concur. You’d have to be pretty drunk already to consider an attempt.
How vodka is made
Vodka is a product of fermented starchy ingredients and water. The most common ingredients used are rye, rice, corn, wheat, and potatoes, although it is also possible to use beets and certain types of fruits.
Vodka is a colorless, clear distilled spirit with a non-distinct aroma. Because it undergoes multiple stages of distillation and filtration, the final product is incredibly pure.
In comparison to other types of spirits such as whisky, tequila, brandy, and gin, vodka is one of the purest drinks with barely any impurities. Hence, its neutral taste and water-like appearance.
Types of vodka
Today, various types of vodka are distilled with the addition of sugar and naturally sweet fruits. These are grouped into flavored vodka and infused vodka that not only has a more welcoming taste but also comes with a unique aroma that is quite pleasant.
Vodka with different kinds of fruity or herbaceous, earthy notes is ideal if you prefer stronger flavors, and can also be used in cocktails for an added kick.
Explore vodka from around the world
In commemoration of National Vodka Day, here is a selection of vodka brands from some of the world’s best distillers.
Haku Vodka
Made with ingenuity and modern distillation technology, the Japanese-crafted Haku vodka uses 100% Japanese white rice distilled and filtered through bamboo charcoal. The resulting drink is super clean, soft, and clear with a refined sweet note on the palate.
Medea Vodka
Buy this one for the bottle but let your taste buds fall in love with the taste of premium grain vodka. The award-winning Medea vodka is made in one of the world’s oldest distilleries and undergoes a lengthy distillation process to produce its clear and refined appearance.
On the bottle, the Medea vodka comes with a patented LED strip display that can be customizable with a smartphone app so you can create personalized messages for friends and family.
Fair Quinoa Vodka
From the cellars of Cognac, Fair Quinoa vodka is a one-of-a-kind blend of quinoa grains and clear water. This hearty vodka will energize your body and palate with smooth, fruity, and spicy notes.
Vodka cocktails
We recommend pairing similar flavors together in a cocktail such as an apple martini made with apple-flavored vodka or a Screwdriver cocktail made with Absolut Mandrin.
Here are some of the most popular classic vodka cocktails to jazz up your Vodka Day celebration with:
- Bloody Mary
- Screwdriver
- Cosmopolitan
- Martini
- Moscow Mule
- Mudslide
- Sea Breeze
- Vodka Cranberry (Cape Cod)
When using a mostly neutral-tasting spirit, your creativity is key to creating tasty, exciting cocktails. So, don’t be limited by what’s popular and allow yourself to experiment with different flavors.
Kickstart your National Vodka Day party with the world’s favorite alcoholic party drink
Vodka goes very well with fruit juices, especially orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. You can also drink straight vodka with ice, or simply add tonic water and slurp down a cool vodka tonic.
Happy National Vodka Day!
