Vodka is the favorite drink when preparing drinks. Its versatility is highly appreciated by bartenders around the world. As it is a more neutral drink, it is ideal for enhancing the flavor of the other ingredients in your drink, which is why it is so important in cocktails. Despite being so relevant, there are many interesting facts about vodka that you may not know. Let’s find out?
Fun facts about vodka
The ideal mix
The person largely responsible for mixing water and alcohol was a Russian scientist called Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev. He carried out several experiments with this mixture, using different proportions, until reaching the ideal point, in 1883: 60% water and 40% alcohol. Currently, there are countless variations on the market.
Water
In Russia and Poland, which have the distillate as their national drink, the translation of the word vodka means “little water”. In several Slavic countries, the word is also a diminutive for water.
Biggest consumers
According to a survey by Euromonitor International, Brazil is among the 10 countries that consume the most vodka in the world. The top 10 is headed by Russia, followed by the United States, Poland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, Belarus, India and Germany. Brazil is 10th in the ranking.
Do not freeze
Water is the main ingredient in vodka, and makes up around 60% of the distillate. However, the drink does not freeze in a common refrigerator, due to the alcohol content in its composition (which varies between 36% and 54%). To freeze, vodka needs to be at a temperature below -20ºC.
Movie thing
In many action films, it is common to see characters cleaning their wounds with alcoholic drinks, such as vodka. This is represented on the big screen due to the high alcohol content of the distillate. Alcohol is a good cleaning agent, capable of eliminating microorganisms. However, even in films, this is a measure taken in extreme cases, when characters are unable to find medical help. If you have an injury, see a doctor, and do not replay these scenes.
Raw material
The truth is that vodka is a very versatile distillate, even in its composition. The drink can be produced by almost any type of raw material that contains starch, sugar or fructose.
Ideal glass for pure drinking
There is no rule for drinking vodka. To enjoy the drink and have the best flavor experience, a tasting glass very similar to a cordial glass can be used. On the other hand, many people consume vodka in the famous shot glass.
Cocktail Shaker
The use of vodka in drinks is very common, but in the right quantity. Generally, recipes call for 50 ml of the distillate. The most common thing is to mix vodka with soft drinks or juices, to compensate for the high alcohol content. It is not customary to mix with other alcoholic drinks, but this happens in some drinks.
Gluten free
Vodka does not contain gluten in its composition, making it a safe distillate for celiac patients.
Filtering
Vodka can go through filtration and microfiltration processes to reach a higher level of purity for the end consumer. The filtration process can be carried out with different types of filter elements, such as activated carbon, which has the function of removing most impurities.
Distillation
Vodka distillation is generally done in column distillers or pot still distillers, although some distilleries use stainless steel and/or copper distillers. Each type of distiller generates different sensorial characteristics and each distillery has its preferences when choosing its production.
There are many curiosities and traditions behind a drink, from the manufacturing process to its many uses. Did you already know any of them?
