What Vodka Is Made From Potatoes

Which Vodkas Are Made From Potatoes

Potato Vodka BrandsKarlssons Gold Vodka. This Sweedish potato vodka is fairly unique among its peers. Woody Creek Colorado Vodka. US residents should have no problems getting their hands on this all-American potato vodka. Vesica Vodka. Claremont Vodka. Grand Teton Potato Vodka. Luksusowa Vodka. Chopin Vodka. Cape Cod Vodka.More itemsSep 23, 2020

How To Make Homemade Vodka Using Potatoes

This article may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Privacy Policy.

This article may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Privacy Policy.

Vodka, comrades. Whether its in a sophisticated Martini, a refreshing Bloody Mary or the all-too-strong Long Island Iced Tea, cocktail hour wouldnt be nearly as much fun without it. If you consider yourself a connoisseur, an expert mixologist or just really, really like vodka, you may want to learn how to make it yourself.

Of course, you should know off the bat that distilling your own alcohol at home is illegal. Yep, despite the plethora of information, stills, equipment and recipes out there, its a no-go with the Feds. So unless youre a licensed distiller, this very real recipe is for theoretical vodka that you can enjoy in your theoretical Cosmopolitans.

That being said, were going to take you through the whole process, including making your own mash, fermenting the mash, distilling the vodka and collecting it. Yes, it is a bit of work. But if you have the time and really enjoy an artisanal cocktail, it could be worth your while.

Lets see how to make vodka from home.

What Is The Most Natural Vodka

OCEAN Organic Vodka The only vodka in the world crafted from organic sugar cane and blended with deep ocean mineral water, this Hawaiian specialty comes from an 80-acre farm and distillery in Maui which uses solar panels to power the distillery and offers visitors a chance to explore their Martini Garden.

Read Also: Is Member’s Mark Vodka Grey Goose

What Is The Best Potato Vodka

Picking the best potato vodka can involve a number of important factors, not the least your own personal tastes and needs. To help in the process, we have created this list of the best potato vodkas.

Our list is based on extensive research and includes consideration of the following factors:

• Mixability: Many savory cocktails gain that added umpf from a great potato vodka!
• Flavor: Whether straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, no one wants a bad-tasting vodka. You just dont.
• Provenance: Knowing exactly where the raw materials come from can help establish whether or not your bottle of vodka is going to be reliable. Swedish, Polish, Russian, American, French it can make a difference!
• Price: Like we said, potato vodka tends to be on the higher end. But you can find some good quality potato vodkas that are not terribly expensive.

These and other factors led us to Polish-made Chopin as the best potato vodka.

So, before you plan your next Bloody Mary brunch with family and friends, be sure to consult our list to help you pick out the perfect potato vodka.

Vodka That Is Flavorless Is Flavorless On Purpose

The Coffey or column still system is what we have to thank for most of the mass-produced, flavorless vodka out there. Because a column still can run continuously , the alcohol keeps moving through the system, being stripped of impurities but also congeners that may impart flavor . And most vodka is distilled a minimum of three times. And charcoal filtered. YeahHence vodkas reputation for flavorlessness. Though in truth different vodkas can display different flavor notes, fragrances, texture, and even sweetness.

Don’t Miss: Is Member’s Mark Vodka Grey Goose

Why Choose Top Brands

As I mentioned earlier, theres a world of difference between cheap vodka and a quality bottling. With potato vodka, however, theres an additional thing to keep in mind: price. The worlds best tasting bottles of potato vodka are almost all available for under $40, while many top-tier brands produce incredibly high-quality bottles of potato vodka for less than $20. This means you dont need to spend a lot of extra money to get an incredible experience.

Karlssons Gold Potato Vodka

A post shared by Karlssons Gold Vodka on Oct 17, 2016 at 4:26pm PDT

Börje Karlsson, the Master Swedish Blender is the man behind the creation of Karlssons Gold Potato Vodka. Yes, the same person who created the very popular Absolut Vodka. The name of the product is based on the kind of potato used in the distilling process, i.e., Farmers Gold. Seventeen pounds of potatoes are used just to make 25 oz of this vodka. Karlssons Gold is one of the best potato vodka brands.

It comes from Polish distillery, and it is named for the Polish word for luxury. Made using 100% Polish potatoes, it is made by filtering through charcoal and oak chips. This premium Polish vodka was created in 1928 using the finest crop of potatoes in North Poland.

You May Like: What Is The Most Expensive Patron Tequila

More Craft And Higher Quality Vodkas Are Getting Into The Game

Smirnov started his business using the highest quality available ingredients. Despite the odorless/flavorless reputation, more vodka producers are going back to high quality ingredients, looking to flesh out the neglected flavor profile and even score some eco-points. Up to you to decide what you like, and what youd like to pay for.

Most Vodka Isnt Made From Potatoes

In fact, vodka wasnt even originally made from potatoes . Potatoes have since proven a viable source in vodka production, but all you really need to make vodka is a sugar source . Most modern vodka is grain-based, though somehey, Puff!is made from grapes, even milk whey. In theory, the character of the base ingredient can impact the final product, with wheat-based vodka often lighter and something whey or potato based a bit creamier.

Also Check: What Proof Is Bacardi Rum

Is Russian Vodka Made With Potatoes

Today, Russians use mostly grains for their vodka, as potatoes do not grow well in the frozen ground. And, thanks to their historical experience with the liquor, both Russia and Poland produce several brands of well-known vodka. You might assume the main ingredient in vodka is potato or grain, but youd be wrong.

Titos Began In A Pot Still Which Is Uncommon For Vodka

Vodka tends to be made in column stills, which means putting any starch-containing distillate content on the top of a massive column and flushing it with incredibly hot steam. Beveridge originally chose a pot still instead a more labor-intensive process, but one that is widely recognized for producing high-quality spirits. Based on current production, it is believed that Titos now uses a combination of column and pot stills.

Dont Miss: Where To Buy Screech Rum In Us

Don’t Miss: Jello Shots With Pinnacle Whipped Vodka

Overview Of How To Make A Vodka

So I figured this is a good time to do a step by step overview of how to make a vodka from start to finish, to give all those people out there, trying to figure this out a bit of a jumpstart.

Transcript: Welcome to still it everyone. This is the channel all about chasing the craft of home distillation and making it a legitimate hobby. So if youre into distilling or craft spirits, have a look around and subscribe.

If it looks like you also have a channel, chances are you can help me out. And I guarantee youll learn something from the other people were hanging around here, too.

Future GC here. I just need to cut in and let you know something Ive been editing this video and it turns its running over 25 minutes. You guys are awesome, but I cant expect you to sit there and watch that. Thats ridiculous.

So, unfortunately, I think Im going to have to split this video into two parts because I cant figure out a way to cut it down and make it manageable. And next week Ill release the video for the cuts. I know for those guys that have been following the channel, thats a bit of a tease and Im really sorry for that, but I just dont want to make people sit through a big ole video.

All right. So I thought it might be a good idea to summarize all of the videos that Ive done in the last few weeks that pertain to this neutral spirit to give a step by step order and tutorial on how to make a neutral spirits.

Titos Distilling Process Is A Company Secret

The brand is very secretive about its processes, and questions remain about the handmadeclaim on the label. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the years suggesting that the spirit is now produced using an automated process, the most recent of which was settled out of court a decision that prevented corporate secrets from being published in public documents. A reporter from Forbes described being ushered away from massive buildings containing floor-to-ceiling stills when visiting the distillery in 2013, suggesting that Titos handmade claim may be just that.

Don’t Miss: Is Member’s Mark Vodka Grey Goose

Inventing Your Own Vodka Cocktails

Vodka is wonderfully neutral and very forgiving, making it perfect to experiment within the bar. When making your own vodka cocktails, I suggest starting out small with just a few ingredients. You dont need to add much to vodka to give it a lot of flavor. Its like drawing on a piece of white paper: sure, you can turn the whole thing black with lots of detailed shading, but if youre just trying to convey a basic idea, you only need a thin line in the right shape.

The best way to illustrate this principle is to make an incredibly simple vodka cocktail. Pour some vodka into a shaker and add a hint of juice and a splash of tonic. Youll come out with a refreshing drink with basically no effort that really lets both the vodka and the juice do their thing in tandem.

What Youll Need To Make The Potato Mash

Before we get started with the step by step recipe, heres what youll need to make your mash:

• 25 Pounds of Spuds
• 7 Gallons of Filtered Water
• 5 Pounds of Crushed Malted Barley
• Mash Pot
• Hand Masher or Immersion Blender
• Thermometer
• Long Spoon
• Brewing Hydrometer

As any connoisseur will tell you, good stuff comes from good ingredients including vodka. So buy yourself some quality roasting potatoes and malted barley, and be sure to use filtered water instead of tap water.

And dont bother peeling your tubers. Your vodka will have more character that way.

Also, dont skip out on the thermometer. Temperature will play a crucial role in breaking down the starches in those potatoes, but you want to be sure you dont burn them.

A brewing hydrometer is another important piece of equipment that youll need in order to take whats called a gravity reading. The gravity reading will indicate how much sugar is in your mash, which later translates to alcohol content.

Now lets break down how to make your mash step by step.

Related: 7 Of The Best Bourbons Between $25 And $50

Don’t Miss: What Is The Most Expensive Patron Tequila

What Alcohol Can I Drink And Still Lose Weight

Best alcoholic drinks for weight loss

Russian Toasting Etiquette Is Intricate And Confusing

When you drink vodka in Russia, you dont just drink vodka. You toast. Then you drink. Then you toast, then you drink again. And the toasts are supposed to come in a very specific order. Back in the day, it was always To Stalin! Yeah,! The spirit, so to speak, of the toasts have since changed, but depending on where you are, whom or what you toast first, second, third, and so on matters. Though kind of a buzz kill, as was the Young Communists favorite To the success of the scheduled tasks likely the so on toasts wont be as well remembered, so folks can get creative.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Most Expensive Patron Tequila

The Vodka Is Distilled Five Times

Once the spring water and Winter Wheat is sourced, these ingredients are taken to Spirit Valley in the heart of the Cognac Region in France. The Pinnacle distillers are craftsmen who are experienced and passionate about their work, and their goal is to create the exceptional smoothness and balance which distinguishes the brand. It takes extra time and energy, but they believe the resulting quality is well worth their efforts.

Dont Miss: Is Jim Beam Good Whiskey

Vodka Production: Raw Ingredients

Words by Simon Difford

Some crops grow better than others in certain climates and traditions and tastes have dictated that farmers and distillers in different countries favour different crops. The Poles use mostly rye to make their vodka, the Finnish favour barley and the Russians and indeed most other nations tend to use wheat.

You May Like: Where To Buy Empress 1908 Gin

Drinking Vodka Cold Serves A Purpose

We store vodka in the freezer, but its not an accident or just because the counter is cluttered with craft bourbons. Vodka has a lot of heat to itdistilled to a minimum 40% ABV, but often higherbut when taken cold, that heat is tamed , and a bit more of the viscosity and richness of the spirit comes out.

How Is Vodka Made

Traditionally, vodka has been made via processes of fermentation, distillation, dilution, and filtration . While this may be true, some vodkas like Ciroc Vodka can be made from grapes which gives the vodka a unique flavor.

Brewers will start by creating a mash from the raw material, either a cereal grain or potatoes and leave this to ferment. The higher quality the grain, the better tasting the vodka, which is why luxury brands like Crystal Head Vodka incorporate some of the best grains available.

How companies make their mash will depend on their personal preferences but the simplest way is to boil your cereal grains or potatoes. For a creamier finish, breweries might choose grains with a higher starch concentration.

In certain cases, breweries can use a combination of grains, such as wheat, and potatoes.

Once the raw materials have been boiled. It is time for fermentation.

The fermentation process produces ethanol . Brewers will then add their preferred yeast to the mash. The ratio of yeast to mash will depend on the type of yeast the brewers use. The temperature that the mixture is left at will also depend on the raw ingredients and the yeast.

Once the brewer obtains the raw ethanol, they distill the raw ethanol to purify it and filter out any unwanted materials that could affect the flavor of the vodka.

From my understanding, the type of material that the containers are made of is also said to affect the quality of the vodka.

Also Check: Is Knob Creek Bourbon Or Whiskey

What Was Vodka Originally Made Out Of

There isnt a definite nor proven account of where it was first created. There is a DIVIDE as to where it comes from.

Among a number of countries claiming the birth of Vodka there are two that are highly plausible: RUSSIA and POLAND.

Lets look at the etymology of vodka. The Russian word voda means water. Meanwhile, Poland has woda which translates to the same word.

Historians suggest these are possible ways of how the word VODKA came about.

Discovery and Spread of Vodka

Although the history of vodka suggests it can be traced back to the 1300s or even earlier, this alcoholic drink hasnt been widely known until the 1900s.

The Russian Revolution in 1917 paved vodkas popularity in Europe which may also be the reason why most would allude this drink to the Russians.

Russian families and groups migrated to parts of Europe. This started the proliferation of vodka across the continent and to the world.

Why Did People Start Making Vodka?

The main ingredient of this drink is actually POTATOESwho wouldve guessed?

Originally, vodka was made from the humble spud and only averages 14% alcohol content. It was drunk for MEDICINAL PURPOSES.

The natural fermentation process of vodka makes it a good antiseptic or disinfectant.

In some movies, you might spot some characters pouring vodka over a knife to disinfect it before they perform a crude operation. It is a reference to how people used this to sterilize the equipment before cutting into a humans skin.

Woody Creek Potato Vodka

A post shared by Grand Teton Distillery on Jun 15, 2020 at 1:34pm PDT

Grand Teton vodka is one of the best potato vodkas originating from Idaho, USA. If you want to add the best potato vodka to your collection, this needs to be the one. This potato vodka is distilled 20 times, proofed with pure mountain water and then polished with charcoal and garnet crystal sand. The flavor is very smooth and full bodied and is a great potato vodka to make cocktails.

Being one of the top American made potato vodka brands, Zodiac vodka has made it with high-quality potatoes. They have distilled it once and is a gluten-free product. It is smooth and pure. The manufacturers have made it from Russet potatoes and water from the picturesque Snake River aquifer.

Don’t Miss: Expensive Patron