Cooking with Vodka

Obscure Vodka Fact #10

Russian soldiers involved in the Napoleonic Wars helped spread  the awareness of vodka (amongst other things) to many parts of Europe throughout the 19th century.  The increase in popularity led to escalating demand and, as a result, lower grade products were produced – based largely on distilled potato mash.

Obscure Vodka Fact #9

Vodka was first brought from Russia to France in the early 19th century. The positive reception by French aristocrats signaled the systematic export of Russian vodka to other European countries. (Mercí)

Obscure Vodka Fact #8

For many years in Russia, river sand or felt were used to remove impurities in vodka.  In the 18th century a professor in Saint Petersburg, discovered a method of purifying alcohol using charcoal filtration which is still being used today.  Who says science can’t be fun?

Obscure Vodka Fact #7

By the middle of the 17th century, the production of grain spirits in Russia became the prerogative of the nobility.  Every nobleman produced his own brand of vodka.  As a result, a great variety of Russian vodkas appeared by the 18th century.  (And a great many Russian noblemen began waking up on the floor.)

Obscure Vodka Fact #6

Charka: an old Russian measure of liquids used for vodka retail sales beginning from the 16th century. A charka contained a single serving of vodka -- which initially contained 150 grams (about 5 ounces) of 40 proof vodka. In the 19th century, when vodka reached strengths of 80 to 90 Proof, a smaller serving of 70 grams (about 2.25 ounces), approximately half a charka, was approved.

Obscure Vodka Fact #5

The first recorded exports of Russian vodka were to Sweden in 1505.

Obscure Vodka Fact #4

Since early production methods for vodka were crude, distillers often flavoured their vodka with fruit, herbs or spices to mask impurities. (Now we just do it for fun.)

Obscure Vodka Fact #3

The word ‘vodka’ is derived from the Russian word for water: ‘voda.’ Vodka is simply the diminutive form of ‘voda’ that, sometime after the 14th century, began to take on its own independent meaning as a strong alcoholic drink. (And Russians have been drinking vodka like water ever since.)

Obscure Vodka Fact #2

Still known as ‘fiery wine,’ the pure distillation of vodka first appeared in Russia in the 15th century – somewhere between 1448-1478. (I guess it’s hard to drink and be a good historian!)

Obscure Vodka Fact #1

The first documented production of grain spirits in Russia was at the end of the 9th century, but the first known distillery appeared hundreds of years later. (Think about that the next time the pubs are closed.)