An Introduction to Vodka | Prince of Travel

Vodka may not carry as much prestige as sparkling wines from Champagne; however, that doesn’t mean it should simply be relegated to mixing with a punch for the purpose of intoxication. In fact, vodka is a spirit that is incredibly varied, and comes with a rich and contentious history.

While it’s often used in cocktails and mixed drinks, perhaps the best way to enjoy this spirit is on its own. People often refer to vodka as having no taste, but with a proper vodka and taking the time to savour the experience, you’re able to find subtle, nuanced flavours that can actually be quite pleasing.

Vodka’s Lengthy History

Interestingly, vodka is one of the oldest spirits in the world. It was initially made from grapes, and then eventually it was made from grains.

As it gained popularity, it replaced honey mead as the preferred beverage in Russia, Poland, and Sweden. In fact, all three of those countries have staked their claim on who made vodka first, and it can be a fairly contentious issue to bring up. 

Squabbling aside, vodka is what is known as a rectified spirit, in that it is colourless and “tasteless”. Gin is also a rectified spirit; however, the biggest difference between vodka and gin is that gin uses junipers and other botanicals in the distilling process, while vodka maintains a pure and clarified profile.

The word vodka comes from Slavic-language word voda, which means water. Taken literally, vodka means “little water”, although anyone who has sipped on vodka before can attest that the two beverages have very different tastes.

Vodka got its start as a tincture for treatments. Home remedies still use this spirit in certain applications, and its potential uses for other purposes blossomed from there.

While it was long popular in Russia, Poland, and across Europe, vodka didn’t become popular in North America until the late 1940s. It was put into the Moscow Mule, which soon primed it to be associated with prestige.

A few years later, James Bond was ordering vodka martinis, and by the mid-1970s, vodka overtook whiskey as the best-selling spirit in America, a position it still holds today. 

How Vodka Is Made

Vodka is an interesting spirit because it can be made by distilling a variety of things with sugar. For example, it can be made with potatoes, apples, milk, wood, corn, carrots…you get the idea. Most of the time, however, it’s made from various grains.

The…