Ukrainian vodka history and facts by WeLoveUa

Vodka Is Recognized the Purest Alcoholic Drink in the World.

Vodka is recognized the purest alcoholic drink in the world, and therefore one of the most beloved ones. Proper vodka sets the right mood for celebration and conversation, and it doesn’t cause the headache next morning. Even the British appreciated the purity and softness of the drink, having confirmed it by the increased sales in recent years (over 10%). So what’s the secret of vodka? And what are the traditions of drinking aqua vitae in Ukraine?

The history of the “burning” beverage

It is known that vodka appeared in our country in the Middle Ages. It was brought by Genoese travelers. However, back then it was rather grape spirit, which had nothing to do with the modern drink. Yet, our ancestors appreciated it, but decided to change, as they say, in order to suit them. To get the spirit, they used rye, and that’s why started calling vodka “bread wine”. Back then, vodka was used rather for treatment. It was added to medicinal tinctures. And only in 1533 a monopoly on vodka production was introduced by the king’s decree, which meant recognition.

By the way, interestingly that bottle label 40% appeared due to Dmitry Mendeleev. He was the one who unified vodka and made it better by removing ethanol from artificial impurities.

Before the invention of alcoholometer, the strength of the beverage was measured by annealing.

Vodka was set afire and then inspected for what extent it burnt out. If the half burnt out, then the drink was with 38.8% kick called Polugar. And the taste of vodka was mainly described as stinging and burning.

What we like

Today vodka is considered a universal drink as it suits any occasion and feast. Heartwarming friendly conversation, business lunch or a family holiday. But it is especially good to drink with friends and with right snack. Who except hospitable Ukrainians know a good judge?! It is better to drink it from a frosty bottle, pre-cooled in the refrigerator (2-3 hours). Keep in mind that too cold drink will intoxicate you, as water will freeze on the walls of the glasses and you’ll drink almost pure alcohol.

5-gram shot-glasses are perfect for drinking vodka at one gulp. And it is better to have a hearty hot snack, gradually getting to the cold dishes – little crunchy pickles, a slice of rye bread with a slice of chilled lard.

Pure natural products are the best snack to clean genuine vodka. We don’t like mixes and innovations where classic is good. Therefore, though today there are many cocktails based on vodka, we prefer the classic drink, and the harder the better.

Vodka with pepper

Pepper vodka is an alcoholic drink infused with red pepper. This kind of vodka can be a fine aperitif, the main drink of the table, and a remedy. Besides pepper, some recipes include honey. It adds the drink softness, original taste, and eliminates the smell of spirit.

We haven’t just mentioned the healing properties of vodka in vain. It has indeed not only warming, but also antibacterial properties. For example, vodka is very good at the first symptoms of a cold compress.

Vodka compress for bronchitis

Dilute vodka with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Add honey, stir it, and soak gauze. Put it on the breast and secure with warm dressing. Make a poultice for the night, and in the morning you’ll wake up almost healthy.

Interesting facts about vodka

A collector’s drink Imperial – Faberge is considered the most expensive in the world. The price per bottle is 1 000 dollars.

Vodka we drink today was standardized only in the 19^th century.

The safe norm to drink for men is 80 grams. For women, it is better to consume not more than 40 grams. These amounts aren’t harmful.

The National Art Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv (6 Mykhaila Grushevskogo St) stores painting dated the first half of the 19^th century – “Satan, tempting Kozak Mamai with drinks”.

The Cossacks had a very strict attitude to alcohol. Drinking, especially on the eve of the crusade, was punishable by death, although they knew a lot about celebrations.

The first anti-alcohol campaigns were held on the territory of Galicia when it became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Most of them were initiated by the Greek-Catholic brotherhoods of sobriety.