If you are looking for an essential for your home bar, Vodka is a liquor that you do not want to leave out. Read this complete guide to Vodka to know how it is made and what brand you should go for.

What is Vodka? 

As one of the most well-known spirits around the world, Vodka’s popularity is undeniable. It is recorded that the first variation of Vodka was back to the early 1400s, with Poland and Russia going back and forth claiming the ownership of the liquor for years. Although Russia and Poland made this clear spirit famous, it is now distilled and consumed worldwide. As a neutral spirit with no distinctive flavour, aroma, colour or character, Vodka is a perfect base for cocktails and is a safe liquor to mix at home. 

In early times, Vodka was used for medicinal reasons. It was often used as an antiseptic, a disinfectant, and a fever reducer. Nowadays, people usually use it as a common drink but fun fact: Vodka can also sooth a jellyfish sting, neutralise sneaker odours, disinfects the hands, and clean mould spots! 

How is Vodka made? 

Vodka is made through a distillation process. Unlike other spirits, it can be distilled from pretty much any agricultural materials containing sugar or starch, such as corn, rye, wheat, molasses, and potatoes. Sometimes, Vodka is made using beets and grapes, like the first Vodka in Russia. Water and yeast are other ingredients that are imperative to Vodka production. Once the distillation is completed, the Vodka is then filtered. 

Back in the day, most Vodka is produced without flavour. However, as Vodka became more common as a casual drink, the popularity of flavoured Vodka has grown tremendously in recent years. Brands like Vodka Cruiser or Billson’s Vodka are well-known for producing flavoured Vodka. 

How to drink Vodka? 

As with many other spirits, there are multiple ways to drink Vodka. If you are a hardcore drinker, drink your Vodka straight with shot glasses at room temperature. You can either sip and savour slowly or down quickly as a shot. If you want, chill your vodka in the fridge for a slightly thicker texture.  

Otherwise, if you are a cocktail enthusiast, mix your vodka into a cocktail. Some popular vodka cocktails are easy to made such as Vodka Martini, Vodka Tonic, or Cosmopolitan. Infuse the alcohol with a little Vitamin C from juices like orange juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice. On days when you just want a light bottle for fun, just grab a premixed flavoured vodka in stores and chill out. 

View the great range of vodka from Matthew’s Liquor 

• Budget: When you are shopping on a budget, Absolut Vodka is a perfect go-to. Absolut has a smooth mouthfeel with subtle hints of vanilla and caramel, followed by a fresh and fruity finish. Besides the neutral one, it is now flavoured with raspberry, lime, citron, etc. 
• Mid-level: Grey Goose is a great option if you are a little bit more flexible on the budget. This French vodka is made using soft winter wheat and Gensac spring water. It features a delicate and floral nose, sweet and rounded mouthfeel, and a bold toffee finish. 
• Premium: Royal Dragon Superior Vodka is perfect if you are looking for a fancy gifted bottle. Smooth and delicious, Royal Dragon Vodka is distilled 5 times over and infused with edible Swiss 23-carat gold leaves. 

Take a look at our Vodka range here, add your favourite bottle to your cart and get it delivered to your door within 1 hour. If you want to read more articles like this, subscribe to our newsletter today!