The 4th of
October represents a special anniversary for Vodka lovers all over the world.
Vodka Day has been
celebrated on this date since at least 2009, in honor of one of the most
appreciated distillates.
History of vodka
Poland and Russia were
the first countries to produce vodka.
The definition
“wodka” appears in texts written for the first time in 1405 in Poland.
The name, which
literally translated means "water" was an ironic euphemism to
indicate a light and clean-tasting distillate, which exceeded more than 50%
alcohol content. In 1520, there were already over sixty “official” distilleries
present in Gdansk (without counting the clandestine ones)
In the following
century, it was Tsar Alexei of Russia who promulgated a code which authorized
noble Russian landowners to own small productions for private use.
Its spread in Western
Europe is attributed to Napoleon who was introduced to it during the Russian
campaign of 1812. The emperor raided large quantities of this mysterious
transparent distillate to warm up and adapt to the cold Russian winter during
the battle retreat.
The first recipe was
made in Russia toward the end of the 9th century: the chemist Dmitry Mendeleev
discussed his thesis, entitled "On the combination of water and
alcohol", giving rise to 40% of the alcohol content.
How is vodka made from?
Vodka is obtained
from the processing of raw materials rich in starch and sugars, such as cereals
and potatoes. Once the solid part has been separated, fermentation is carried
out followed by a short rest period.
Then the distillation
begins, and this phase serves to eliminate substances different from alcohol,
and to allow vodka to take a neutral taste. The master distiller can establish how
many distillations are necessary.
This could be a very long
and expensive process, so the most used and useful method to purify the drink
consists of filtering the distillate using activated carbon.
The handcrafted Vodka
used by Spirito Cocktails
After the distillation
process, the vodka used in our cocktails is cold filtered three times over
activated charcoal to eliminate any type of aroma and impurity. The result is perfect
purification, with a distillate as pure and clear as water, which further
enhances the characteristics of all the cocktails made from this base.
Vodka-based
cocktails: 4 classics and one exclusive signature
To celebrate Vodka
Day, we will explore four of the classic vodka-based drinks and a signature cocktail
that will make your mouth water!
1. The Vodka Sour is
a refreshing and bittersweet cocktail perfect for starting an evening. Thanks
to its fresh and lively taste, it is perfect for an aperitif.
Ingredients
50ml of vodka
25 ml of fresh lemon
juice
15 ml simple syrup
(equal parts sugar and water)
Ice
Preparation
- Fill a shaker with
ice.
- Add vodka, lemon
juice and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for
about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail
into a chilled or ice-filled cocktail glass.
2. The Cosmopolitan
is an iconic cocktail often associated with nightlife and glamorous parties. It
is s a drink cocktail for the second act of the evening, when you want to sit
back and enjoy the night. Here's how to prepare it.
Ingredients
40 ml of vodka
15ml triple sec or
Cointreau
15 ml fresh lime
juice
30 ml cranberry juice
Lemon zest or a slice
of lime to decorate
Preparation:
Fill a shaker with
ice.
Add the vodka, triple
sec, lime juice and cranberry juice.
Shake vigorously for
about 10-15 seconds.
Strain the cocktail
into a cooled cocktail glass.
Decorate with lemon
zest or a slice of lime.
3. If you need a
boost of energy, the Espresso Martini is the perfect choice. It's great as a
cocktail dessert or for a late-night coffee break.
Ingredients
50ml of vodka
25 ml of coffee
liqueur
25 ml of cold
espresso
10ml simple syrup
Coffee bean or three
coffee beans on the surface to decorate
Preparation:
- Fill a shaker with
ice.
- Add the vodka, coffee
liqueur, cold espresso, and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for
about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail
into a cooled cocktail glass.
- Decorate with a
coffee bean or three floating coffee beans.
4. The Moscow Mule is
always perfect at the beginning or end of the evening. Its freshness and spicy
touch will cleanse your palate.
Ingredients
50ml of vodka
150ml ginger beer
Juice of half a lime
Ice
Slice of lime or a
slice of ginger to decorate
Preparation:
- Fill a copper cup (or
tumbler) with ice.
- Add the vodka and
lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer
and mix gently.
- Decorate with a slice
of lime or a slice of ginger.
5. The Cosmo Thai is
a refined cocktail that blends the essence of the East culture with the
elegance of a classic Cosmopolitan.
This signature
cocktail, based on vodka, lichee liqueur, cranberry juice and lime, offers a
unique tasting experience. Its sweet flavour, floral scent and vibrant pink
color make it perfect for special evenings and for those who love drinks with
complex and delicate flavours.
If you want to
impress your guests or simply want to treat yourself to a delicious and refined
drink, Cosmo Thai is an amazing choice.
Ingredients
50ml of vodka
25ml lichee liqueur
30 ml cranberry juice
(cranberry)
10ml simple syrup
Juice of half a lime
Ice
Lime slice or lime
peel for decoration
Preparation:
- Fill a shaker with
ice.
- Add the vodka, lichee
liqueur, cranberry juice, lime juice and sugar
- Shake vigorously for
about 10-15 seconds to mix the ingredients well and cool the cocktail.
- Strain the Cosmo Thai
into a cooled cocktail glass.
- Decorate with a slice
of lime or lime zest.
Now that you've
discovered these classic vodka drinks and our signature Cosmo Thai, you can
plan your night in style. Always remember to drink in moderation and that
artisanal quality ready-to-drink cocktails by Spirito Cocktails can help you if
you have difficulty recreating the recipe!