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RUSSIAS MOST POPULAR DRINK

VODKA


Vodka is a distilled beverage. It is a clear liquid which consists of mostly water and ethanol purified by distillation


Vodka usually has an alcohol content of 35% to 50% by volume. The classic Polish, Lithuanian and Russian vodka is 40% .This can be attributed to the Russian standards for vodka production introduced in 1894 by Alexander III. According to the Vodka Museum in Moscow, Dmitri Mendeleev, a Russian chemist, found the perfect percentage to be 38. However, the percentage was rounded up to 40 to simplify the tax given. At this time Vodka was drunk neat (without ice and not mixed with other liquids) , the taste of Vodka can have more "burn". Some governments set a minimum alcohol content for a spirit to be called "Vodka". For example, the European Union sets a minimum of 37.5% alcohol by volume.


"Vodka" is a diminutive of the Slavic word woda/voda standing for water.

Vodka began to appear in Russian dictionaries in the mid-19th century.



The countries of central and eastern Europe and Nordic countries are the historic home of vodka, and also have the highest vodka consumption in the world.





Origins


The origins of vodka are not certain, but it is believed that it was created in the region that now are Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, and western Russia. It also has a long tradition in Scandinavia.


Russia the biggest home of vodka


It was not originally called vodka — instead, the term bread wine (хлебное вино; khlebnoye vino) was used. Until mid-18th century, it remained relatively low on alcohol content, not exceeding 40% by volume. It was mostly sold in taverns and...