VODKA

GROUP 5
 • VODKA IS A DISTILLED SPIRIT MADE MOST
COMMONLY FROM GRAINS OR POTATOES.
TRADITIONALLY, THE CLEAR LIQUOR IS
FAMOUSLY FROM RUSSIA AND POLAND, BUT
TODAY IT'S MADE ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE
UNITED STATES AND ALL PARTS OF EUROPE
WHAT IS CONTRIBUTE TO THE GLOBAL VODKA
MARKET. IT'S DRUNK WORLDWIDE, TOO.
VODKA? RUSSIA AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
DRINK THE MOST, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE
U.S. VODKA IS ALSO THE MOST POPULAR
LIQUOR TO USE IN COCKTAILS, MIXED DRINKS,
AND SHOTS, MAKING IT ESSENTIAL IN EVERY
BAR.
 • VODKA IS A VAST AND VARIED CATEGORY OF
LIQUOR AND UNLIKE SOME OTHER SPIRITS,
THERE ARE NO SET REGULATIONS GOVERNING
ITS PRODUCTION. VODKA HAS A RUSSIAN ORIGIN

WHAT IS AND IS OFTEN CALLED A "NEUTRAL GRAIN

SPIRIT" BECAUSE THE STANDARD METHOD FOR

VODKA MAKING IT IS BY FERMENTING AND DISTILLING

GRAIN. THIS CAN BE CORN, RYE, WHEAT, OR ANY
OTHER GRAIN THAT THE DISTILLER CHOOSES TO
MADE USE. POTATO VODKA HAS LONG BEEN A
POPULAR PRODUCT OF POLAND AND OTHER
FROM? POTATO GROWING REGIONS, SUCH AS IDAHO
AND SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES. VODKA CAN
BE DISTILLED FROM NEARLY ANYTHING,
THOUGH AND YOU WILL FIND VODKAS MADE
FROM THINGS LIKE BEETS AND GRAPES.
 • POTATOES ARE JUST ONE THING FROM WHICH VODKA IS
MADE.

• THE BASIC RECIPE IS “COOK IT, MASH IT UP (PUREE IT),

ADD WATER AND THEN YEAST, AND LET IT FERMENT FOR
HOW IS A WEEK OR TWO.” SO, BAKE OR BOIL YOUR POTATOES,
PUREE THEM, ADD SOME WATER, ADD YEAST. YEAST
TURNS STARCH INTO ALCOHOL, THE RESULTING “SOUP”
VODKA WILL BE 5~10% ALCOHOL. THEN YOU STRAIN OUT ALL
THE SOLIDS AND DISTILL THE LIQUID. DISTILLATION

MADE FROM GETS RID OF MUCH OF THE WATER, INCREASING THE

PERCENT ALCOHOL TO 75%~90%. THEN YOU ADD WATER
TO BRING THE RESULT DOWN TO 40% ABV (80 PROOF).
POTATOES?
• IF YOU ARE ‘HIGH TECH’, YOU WILL ADD A BUNCH OF
ENZYMES TO YOUR COOKED POTATO PUREE - CERTAINLY
ALPHA AND BETA AMYLASE. THE IDEA IS TO MAKE AS
MUCH OF THE VEGETABLE MATTER INTO DIGESTABLE
STARCHES.
 • COMBINE THE BASE INGREDIENTS. TO MAKE A
HOW VODKA IS FERMENTABLE BASE, VODKA MAKERS WILL
MADE MIX GRAINS—LIKE WHEAT MALT, FLAKED
MAIZE, OR RYE—WITH WATER AND YEAST.
MOST VODKA THEY THEN HEAT AND STIR THE MIXTURE
MAKERS (SOMETIMES CALLED “VODKA MASH”) TO
MAKE SURE IT’S WELL COMBINED AND READY
FOLLOW A TO FERMENT.
FEW BASIC • FERMENT THE BASE. VODKA MAKERS THEN
STORE THEIR BASE MIXTURE FOR A SPECIFIED
STEPS TO AMOUNT OF TIME—OFTEN BETWEEN ONE AND
PRODUCE TWO WEEKS—TO FULLY FERMENT THE
MIXTURE. THIS FERMENTATION STEP IS WHEN
VODKA: THE COMPOUNDS BEGIN TO BREAK DOWN AND
PRODUCE SIMPLE, NATURAL ALCOHOL CALLED
ETHANOL OR ETHYL ALCOHOL.
• STRAIN THE MIXTURE. ONCE FERMENTATION IS COMPLETE, VODKA MAKERS STRAIN OFF
THE LIQUID FROM THE FERMENTED SOLIDS. THEY’LL DISCARD THE SOLIDS AND USE THE
LIQUID (ETHANOL) TO MAKE VODKA.
• DISTILL. DISTILLATION IS A PROCESS THAT PURIFIES A LIQUID BY HEATING AND VAPORIZING
IT, THEN COLLECTING THE VAPOR AS IT RECONDENSES INTO A LIQUID. THE RESULTING
LIQUID IS CONSIDERED PURER (SINCE IT LEAVES BEHIND MANY IMPURITIES WHEN IT
EVAPORATES) AND MORE ALCOHOLIC. VODKA MAKERS ALL TAKE DIFFERENT APPROACHES
TO DISTILLATION—SOME MAY DISTILL ONLY ONCE OR TWICE, WHILE OTHERS MAY REQUIRE
DISTILLATION AND REDISTILLATION MANY TIMES FOR A MORE PURE RESULT. IF THEY’RE
MAKING FLAVORED VODKA, THEY MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO ADD BOTANICALS DURING
DISTILLATION—SOME STEEP THEIR BOTANICALS IN ETHANOL BEFORE OR BETWEEN
DISTILLINGS, WHILE OTHERS ADD BOTANICALS DURING DISTILLING WITH A SPECIAL STILL.
• COLLECT AND SORT THE PRODUCT. THE LIQUID THAT VODKA MAKERS HAVE AFTER DISTILLATION ISN’T
ALL THE SAME—AS ETHANOL DISTILLS, THE RESULTING LIQUID CHANGES. THE FIRST 35 PERCENT OF A
DISTILLATION RESULTS IN AN ETHANOL PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS METHANOL OR ACETONE AND CAN BE
HIGHLY VOLATILE OR TOXIC—CONTAINERS OF THIS LIQUID ARE CALLED THE “FORESHOTS” AND THE
“HEADS,” AND DISTILLERS USUALLY THROW THEM OUT. THE FOLLOWING 30 PERCENT CONTAINS THE
“HEARTS,” WHICH ARE THE BEST PRODUCT. THE FINAL 35 PERCENT ARE THE “TAILS,” WHICH ARE IMPURE
BUT CAN BE KEPT AND REDISTILLED FOR A LITTLE MORE PRODUCT.
• FILTER. SINCE TRADITIONAL VODKAS ARE FLAVORLESS AND SMOOTH, MANY VODKA MAKERS WILL ADD
AN EXTRA STEP TO THEIR PRODUCTION LINE—FILTRATION. ONCE THEY’VE IDENTIFIED THE HEARTS OF
THEIR DISTILLATE, THEY’LL PASS THIS PRODUCT THROUGH A LARGE FILTRATION SYSTEM (USUALLY WITH
CHARCOAL OR CARBON) TO ENSURE THE FINAL PRODUCT HAS A GREAT, CLEAN MOUTHFEEL.
• DILUTE. ONCE THE DISTILLERS HAVE THEIR DISTILLED PRODUCT, THEY’LL DILUTE THE VODKA TO THE
DESIRED ALCOHOL CONTENT BY TESTING THE ALCOHOL BY VOLUME (ABV) AND GRADUALLY ADDING
WATER.
• BOTTLE. THE FINAL STEP IS THE BOTTLING PROCESS, IN WHICH VODKA
MAKERS ADD THE FINAL PRODUCT TO LABELED BOTTLES.
 • VODKA IS KNOWN FOR LACKING A DISTINCT
TASTE. INSTEAD, A STYLISTIC DIFFERENCE IN
BRANDS IS THEIR TEXTURE ON THE TONGUE,
REFERRED TO AS THE MOUTHFEEL. SOME
WHAT DOES VODKA, SUCH AS ABSOLUT, HAS AN OILY,
SILKY TEXTURE WITH A HINT OF SWEETNESS,
VODKA WHILE OTHERS LIKE STOLICHNAYA ARE
CLEAN, WATERY, AND HAVE A MEDICINAL
TASTE LIKE? FINISH. THAT SAID, TODAY'S VODKA MARKET
GOES FAR BEYOND THESE OLDER
CHARACTERISTICS AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO
PINPOINT ALL VODKAS INTO A FEW SIMPLE
CATEGORIES.
 • TRADITIONALLY, VODKA IS DRUNK STRAIGHT,
WHETHER ENJOYED AS A SIPPER OR DOWNED
HOW TO QUICKLY AS A SHOT. CHILLING A BOTTLE
HELPS IT GO DOWN SMOOTHLY AND SOME
DRINK DRINKERS PREFER TO SERVE IT ON THE ROCKS.
STRAIGHT VODKA CAN ALSO BE SHAKEN OR
VODKA STIRRED WITH ICE, THEN STRAINED INTO A
GLASS FOR A SMOOTHER DRINK.
ESSENTIAL AND POPULAR VODKA COCKTAILS

• VODKA MATINI - VODKA-BASED MARTINIS FILL COCKTAIL MENUS, AND

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF RECIPES TO MIX UP. YET, THERE IS ONLY ONE
TRUE VODKA MARTINI, AND IT IS UNBELIEVABLY SIMPLE. ALL YOU NEED
FOR THIS DRINK IS VODKA, DRY VERMOUTH, AND BITTERS (PLUS A GARNISH
LIKE A LEMON PEEL, IF YOU'D LIKE), MAKING IT NOTHING MORE THAN THE
CLASSIC GIN MARTINI WITH A VODKA BASE. IT IS CRISP, CLEAN, AND THE
BEST WAY TO SHOW OFF THE TOP-SHELF VODKAS IN YOUR BAR.
• COSMOPOLITAN - VODKA IS AN IDEAL BASE FOR LIGHT FRUIT FLAVORS. NO
COCKTAIL PLAYS THIS UP AS WELL AS THE COSMOPOLITAN. IT IS THAT
PRETTY-IN-PINK, FRUITY COCKTAIL MADE WITH VODKA, CRANBERRY AND
LIME JUICES, AND A HIGH-END ORANGE LIQUEUR. AFFECTIONATELY CALLED
THE "COSMO," YOU CAN ADAPT IT TO SUIT YOUR TASTE. SOME PREFER IT
SWEET AND POUR MORE CRANBERRY, WHILE OTHERS LIKE JUST A SPLASH
FOR COLOR. IT'S FANTASTIC EITHER WAY.
• APPLE MARTINI - ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR FRUIT MARTINIS, IT'S HARD TO
RESIST THE TASTE OF A WELL-MADE APPLE MARTINI. WHILE YOU MAY BE
FAMILIAR WITH THE BRIGHT GREEN VERSION, THERE ARE MANY
VARIATIONS ON THIS FUN COCKTAIL. THE RECIPES RANGE FROM THOSE
THAT USE GREEN APPLE SCHNAPPS TO ONES WITH A DRIER PROFILE,
PREFERRING AN APPLE LIQUEUR OR BRANDY AND DRY VERMOUTH.
• BLOOD MARY - SUNDAY MORNINGS WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A
GREAT BLOODY MARY. THIS VODKA AND TOMATO JUICE HIGHBALL IS A
FAVORITE FOR BRUNCH, AND IT CAN BE CUSTOMIZED TO FIT YOUR EXACT
TASTE. IT IS ALSO A POPULAR "HAIR OF THE DOG" HANGOVER DRINK.
• BLACK RUSSIAN - WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF LOOKING FOR A REFRESHING
AND SHORT VODKA DRINK, THE BLACK RUSSIAN IS A PERFECT CANDIDATE.
IT REQUIRES JUST TWO INGREDIENTS—VODKA AND COFFEE LIQUEUR, PLUS
AN OPTIONAL CHERRY ON TOP—AND MIXES UP IN MINUTES. DON'T WORRY
ABOUT SPLURGING ON THE VODKA; A DECENT AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY
BOTTLE WILL DO JUST FINE.
 7 WAYS VODKA IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU

• 1. VODKA IS A CURE-ALL.
2. IT CAN RELIEVE STRESS.
3. IT'S HEART-HEALTHY.
4. IT CAN BE USED AS A SKINCARE PRODUCT.
5. IT CONTRIBUTES TO ORAL HYGIENE.
6. IT CAN ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY ARTHRITIS.
7. IT REDUCES RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES.
 VODKA ALCOHOL CONTENT

• THE HIGHEST ALCOHOL CONTENT VODKA IS 95% THAT CAN BE QUITE

DANGEROUS FOR FIRST-TIME ALCOHOL CONSUMERS. IT IS
RECOMMENDABLE TO TRY 80 PROOF VODKA ONE SHOT IF YOU ARE A FIRST-
TIMER. 100 PROOF VODKA WITH 50% ALCOHOL CONTENT IS THE AVERAGE
ALCOHOL CONTENT OF VODKA THAT SHALL BE THE PREFERENCE OF
DRINKERS TODAY
QUIZ

• IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING 2POINTS EACH

• 1. WHAT COUNTRY HAS THIS TYPE OF LIQUOR BECOME POPULAR

• 2. VODKA IS A MADE MOST COMMONLY FROM GRAINS OR POTATOES.
• 3.HOW TO DRINK VODKA ?
• 4&5 . VODKA IS ALSO THE MOST POPULAR LIQUOR TO USE IN WHAT ?
• ENUMERATION 1 POINT EACH
• 1.) GIVE ATLEAST 2 OF 7 WAYS VODKA IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR
YOU
• 2.) GIVE ATLEAST 3 OF THE ESSENTIAL AND POPULAR VODKA
COCKTAILS