Best Vodka Brands: Cheapest Strongest Most Expensive
This article includes advice and insights from spirits expert and masterclass host for Cocktail Porter & The Whiskey Mill, Malcolm Gandar.
The options are endless when it comes to Vodka brands. Whether you want something cheap, strong, or expensive, there is the perfect brand for every occasion. Vodka has a long and colourful history and can be enjoyed as a standalone drink or with a mixer. We took a deep dive into the world of vodka to discover vodkas birthing process, the different types and even decided on the best vodka brands on the shelves right now.
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Best Organic: Ocean Organic
Region: Hawaii | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Crisp, Fruity, Mineral
Organic sugar cane grown on a family estate in Maui combines with desalinated water pulled from 3,000 feet below the depths of the Pacific Ocean for a flavor that’s clean, easy, and long-lasting. In its round, blue bottle, Ocean Vodka exemplifies the beauty of organic spirits. Its pure, light taste, with a muted sweetness, works well with fresh fruit juices including coconut, mango, and pineapple.
You Can Turn It Into A Dessert
These flavors taste just as good frozen as they do in drink form. Ben and Jerrys paid homage to this fact with their ice cream called From Russia With Buzz which was an intentional spin on the cocktail. Now retired, it featured coffee ice cream laced with coffee liqueur combined with dark coffee ice cream and fudge chips with espresso.
Though the official ice cream is no longer, you can create your own frozen, boozy dessert with the white Russian as your base. Keep it simple and blend it up with some milk and ice cubes added. For some extra texture, use coconut or almond milk ice cubes instead.
Or, get a little fancier with some plain vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Either way, its easy to transition this one into something cold and sweet for your summer gathering!
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What Is Good Russian Vodka
Russian Vodka. Stolichnaya Gold is made in Moscow and is one of the finest and rarest. It is exceptionally crystal-clear vodka with subtle tones of citrus and anise, medium to full-bodied, inducing flavors of powdered sugar and subtle spice, creamy-textured, rich flavored finish.
What is a traditional Russian drink?
The national drink of Russia is Vodka . The traditional types of Vodka contain no additional flavorings although some Russians wish to add flavor to their vodka with the use of pepper, lemon peel, cranberries or other herbs.
Putins Critics Call For Boycotts Of Russian Vodka
Vodka, a drink that was popularized in the West by James Bond and that has long been one of Russias most visible exports, is now the target of international anger over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In New Hampshire, where liquor and wine are sold through state-run stores, Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, announced on Saturday the removal of Russian-made and Russian-branded spirits from our liquor and wine outlets until further notice. In Ohio, where the state contracts with private businesses to sell liquor, Gov. Mike DeWine, also a Republican, announced a halt to state purchases and sales of Russian Standard Vodka.
L. Louise Lucas, a top Democrat in the Virginia State Senate, is the removal of all Russian vodka and any other Russian products from Virginias nearly 400 state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores.
And Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, , Dump all the Russian vodka and, alongside ammo and missiles, send the empty bottles to Ukraine to use for Molotov cocktails.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Canadas most populated province, announced on Friday that it would remove all products produced in Russia from its more than 600 stores. Similar removals were underway in the provinces of Manitoba and Newfoundland, Reuters reported.
Boycotts of highly visible imports during times of conflict are nothing new.
And just as in earlier efforts, boycotting Russian vodka may be more symbolic than strategic.
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How To Best Drink Russian Vodka
You can drink Russian vodka in the traditional Vodka glasses available in Russia. Here are some of the ways to enjoy it,
Neat
Gulp down Russian vodka from a traditional Russian vodka shot glass.
Shot
Pour Russian vodka into a shot glass and enjoy it at room temperature in one shot.
Frozen
You can enjoy Ice cold vodka shots by serving chilled drinks directly from the freezer.
Flavored Vodkas
There are plenty of flavored Russian vodkas which you can drink at room temperature or serve them chilled.
Snacks
You can pair a glass of Russian vodka with sandwiches and finger foods.
Pickled Vegetables
Russian vodka tastes great with pickled vegetables, like cucumber, cabbage, and mushrooms.
For A Luxury Russian Vodka
High quality and luxury Russian Vodka can naturally be found in the bars, wine cellars and on the tables of the most prestigious gastronomic restaurants in the world. These names are often well-known and reputed for their excellence. Logically, starred gastronomic restaurants propose the best brands and bottles of Vodka to their customers.
It is important to note that to obtain rewards, restaurants through their chefs, sommeliers and barmen must rigorously select the most delectable brands and bottles of Vodka, as their choice of the most exquisite food and the finest alcohols contributes to their reputation of being elite.
Through Bestwine Onlines reference list of the best Russian Vodkas, access a suggestion of delicious Vodkas. Vodkas selected by professionals of good food and fine alcohol who have tasted, appreciated, and recommended them. Make the most of their experience and their advice in Russian Vodka to choose your bottle.
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Similar Drinks & Vodka Substitutes
Being probably one of the most cleanest and purest alcohols, there is no direct equivalent to vodka per se. However, it can often be replaced with other spirits if youre looking for something more flavoursome.
In fact, vodka is actually used to replace other spirits that some people may not like. For instance, gin is often substituted for vodka when people have an intolerance or simply dont like it.
Alternatively, if you want something a little different, weve been experimenting with akvavit as a vodka and gin substitute with some surprising results!
How Strong Is Vodka In Russia
40%Physically, vodka is composed of ethyl alcohol and water. Typically, the alcoholic content per serving is between 35-50% the standard Russian, Lithuanian, and Polish vodkas, however, are more exactly around 40% .
Which country drinks the most alcohol in Asia?
NEW DELHI People in South Korea are the most prolific drinkers in Asia, according to the World Health Organisation . South Koreans over the age of 15 on average drink 10.9 litres of alcohol a year.
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Best Overall: Hangar 1
Region: California | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Orange, White pepper, Cinnamon
In 2002, St. George Spirits birthed this small-batch vodka in an old aircraft hangar in California. Proximo Spirits, which bought the brand back in 2010, still produces it at the old Naval Air Station Alameda on San Francisco Bay, albeit in a new distillery.
There, a wheat-based, column-distilled vodka gets blended with vodka made from viognier grapes that have been run through copper pot stills. The result boasts a layered flavor profile that spans the divide between syrupy and savory, between subtlety and burns. Hangar 1 is a vodka that will please everyone at the party, from newbies wanting a slightly fruity touch to their Cosmopolitans to seasoned imbibers looking for a rounded floral perfume in their Gibson.
How Much Vodka Is Consumed In Russia
Russians on average drank the equivalent of 6.6 litres of pure alcohol last year, according to Rosstat, which said this included: 6.6 litres of vodka and spirits. 57 litres of beer. 7.3 litres of wine, sparkling wine and champagne.
Is vodka actually popular in Russia?
Vodka is one of the national Russian symbols and one of the things most associated with the country. Being the biggest consumer of this drink, Russia spread the vodka culture to other countries by producing some spectacular kinds of vodka.
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The Five Best Vodkas To Use In A White Russian
There are cocktails and then there are cocktails. Depending on your personal taste, you might be partial to a particular cocktail such as a Long Island Iced Tea or a White Russian. If youve never had a White Russian, you genuinely dont know what youre missing. It is without a doubt one of the easiest cocktails to make and its also one of the most delicious ones that you could ever put to your lips. This is true for anyone, but its especially true if you just so happen to be one of the many individuals who really loves your morning coffee, as this gives you a bit of that flavor and then kicks things up a notch with cream and vodka. Of course, you can use different kinds of vodka when you make a White Russian but that doesnt necessarily mean that all vodkas are made exactly the same. Before we get ahead of ourselves, lets nail down the basics of making a White Russian. You only need three ingredients in order to make one- coffee liqueur, cream and vodka. You pour in the coffee liqueur, the vodka and the cream into a glass with ice and enjoy. Now, if youre wondering which type of vodka you should be using, here are five of the best ones that you can buy.
The Best Ukrainian Vodka
Dimas Vodka
Much like Russian vodka, Ukrainian vodka is incredibly close to the heart of the countrys culture, meaning distillers never compromise on quality. Made from a blend of barley, wheat, and rye, Dimas Vodka is velvety smooth with a rich and rounded flavour profile. On the palate, Dimas has a silky mouthfeel with a hint of that rye bread followed by subtle notes of vanilla, spices and a cereal earthy sweetness. Dimas recommends a somewhat interesting serve, with the brand adamant that nearly every cocktail made with their vodka include either pickle juice or be garnished with a pickle – the saltiness of the pickle perfectly complementing the sweet smoothness of the vodka. Hear that? Dont mess with Dimas pickle…
ABV: 40%
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How To Serve & Drink Vodka
Firstly, there is no right or wrong way to drink vodka as long as you enjoy it. While we try to offer guidance and advice, we dont seek to dictate how such beverages should or shouldnt be consumed.
Vodka is always kept in the freezer to be served at an ice-cold 0°C in heritage vodka-drinking cultures. That said, some producers argue that premium vodkas should be served slightly higher to allow the aromas to evaporate.
Similarly, vodka is served without ice as it usually results in diluting the drink in a way that cant be controlled.
Rather than shot glasses, glassware has traditionally consisted of stemmed karczmiak flutes since the 18th Century. Unlike regular shot glasses, these allow drinkers to hold them without warming the vodka.
Like Scandinavian akvavit culture, vodka is rarely consumed without reason. Instead, it is often enjoyed as a celebratory drink. It is also often accompanied by a variety of different aperitifs too.
In Russia, these are usually referred to as zakuski and consist of pickled vegetables of which cucumber is the most popular. Similarly, vodka can be served with dried or cured fish, cold meat and ham, and black or rye bread.
Finally, there are a few supposed techniques often used by Russians and the Polish to negate the effects of vodka. If you drink with Slavs, youll notice that theyll often follow a shot with an audible exhalation, which is supposed to reduce the resulting hangover.
The Best Vodka For White Russians
May 11, 2021
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Compared to many centuries-old cocktails we still enjoy today, the white Russian is just a baby. You can trace the origins of some drinks back to the 14th and 15th centuries, but the first recorded instance of the white Russian is in 1949 when inventor Gustave Tops made it for the first time along with its sister version the black Russian.
Tops was a bartender in Brussels, so the drink got its name not based on location but because vodka comes from Russia. Or, at least thats the conclusion that many have come to considering the lack of other connections to Russia. The drink is a simple combination of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream served over ice. You can substitute the cream for milk, though many say that diminishes the quality and sophistication of the drink.
The white Russian is unique in that its not a particularly sweet cocktail, but its not exactly savory, either. Its a nice in-between thats favored perfectly for coffee-lovers. The black Russian is the same drink but without the cream, offering an even more bitter version for those who like it strong. Either way, the best vodka for white Russians is usually one thats as neutral as possible, so as to not overpower the simple coffee and cream flavoring.
That said, there are a few other flavors that go well with the combination so dont rule out a slightly more flavorful vodka if you want to make it a little more interesting.
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The Best Finnish Vodka
Koskenkorva Vodka
Though an expertly crafted and well renowned vodka, Koskenkorva is still produced in the tiny Finnish village of Koskenkorva, boasting only 2200 inhabitants. Since the 1930s, the people of Koskenkorva have been lending a hand in the distillery and working to create a superbly smooth and elegant vodka. The purity of the vodka makes for a lip smacking base spirit in cocktails such as a Moscow Mule, or simply a vodka tonic with a garnish of lime.
ABV: 40%Find here: UK £23 // US $29.99
Polugar Classic Rye Vodka
Polugar Classic is a different interpretation of vodka. That starts from the use of rye as the only ingredient involved in fermentation.
The exclusive use of rye has several consequences in terms of both production and flavor. After three distillations in copper pots, there are two steps to the filtration process. First, egg whites are introduced to pick up any impurities before the usual charcoal filtering takes place.
It tastes very different from the other vodkas on this list, with a strong rye flavor that comes through in the final product.
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Ditching Russian Vodka Heres Where Other Favorite Vodkas Are Produced
There’s a world of vodka that’s not made in Russia.
The widespread public anger at the Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a surprising consequence: a movement to ditch Russian vodka among consumers. Vodka, however, is produced all over the world and is the best-selling spirit in the United States.
According to Lisa Hawkins, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States :
Some of the popular vodka brands consumers may think are Russian are not produced in Russia. There is not a lot of Russian-made vodka in the U.S. marketplace. Imports of Russian vodka to the United States are down nearly 79 percent since 2011, and accounted for only 1.3 percent of total vodka imports in 2021
Hawkins went on to add, that roughly $1.4 billion of vodka was imported into the US in 2021. France is the biggest supplier of imported vodka to the US at $660 million followed by the Netherlands at $290 million, Sweden at $176 million, Latvia at $137 million and Poland at $63 million. Russia ranks a distant number 6 with just $18 million worth of vodka exports to the US.
A Russian sounding name is no guarantee that the vodka is produced in Russia. Stolichnaya, for example, is a historic Russian brand owned by two different companies – one based in Russia, and one based in Luxembourg.
Smirnoff was once a Russian vodka label, but the brand is now owned by drink giant Diageo and is made all over the world. It is not, however, made in Russia.
Brands Of Russian Vodkas
The Vodka market is very rich in Russia there are more than are several hundred brands of Vodka and thousands of references of bottles. Russia has around 1000 distilleries and just as many brands of different Vodka.
The Russian Vodka Smirnoff is very well-known. Historically, this brand of Russian Vodka became famous during the wave of Russian emigration in Europe and North America during the two world wars. Since then, Smirnoff Vodka is one of the most popular Russian Vodkas in the world.
Amongst the brands of well-known Russian Vodkas there are: Belenkaya, Cristall, Eristoff, Exclusiv, Flagship, Pyat Ozer, Ikon, Imperia, Jewel of Russia, Kauffman, Kremlevka, Mokovskaya, Nemiroff, Parliament, Poliakov, Royal Dragon, Snow Queen, Sputnik, Stolichnaya, Tovaritch, Ushba, Mamont and ZYR.
You can find these brands of Russian Vodkas on the wine list of starred gastronomic restaurants all over the world.
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The Rise And Rise Of Vodka
While the foundations are simple, vodka is a spirit that has continued to grow in popularity over many years. In the 21st century, the implementation of new brands the experimentation of batch brewers are pushing the industry in new and exciting ways, similar to how gin has taken off.
With such a massive boom in craft Gin over the past five or so years, Vodka has definitely found itself rising in popularity. The fun thing about Vodka is its ability to be malleable and adapt to different flavours, Malcolm Gandar, masterclass host and brand ambassador for Cocktail Porter & The Whiskey Mill tells Man of Many. Due to this, there has been some new innovations in barrel aging and infusing vodkas which has really seen some amazing products being produced.