Whether Vodka is Russian or Polish isn't clear, but it's certain Vodka originated from eastern Europe. This 'water', which is the translation of the Russian word 'voda', came into existence from the first distillation test using regional vegetable ingredients like different types of grains (rye and wheat's), potato's and sometimes even molasses of beets.

By using traditional techniques distillers were striving to make their vodka more clear. Triple distillation was common and some of the vodka distillers would even distil the alcohol four times.

De world famous Vodka 'Smirnoff' made it fame in Russia before the last century, due to a special technique of filtering the Vodka through charcoal.

These days only grains are used in the production of quality vodka's. In Poland you will find Vodka's that are based strictly on rye. It is also there that you will find a great variety of aroma's being distilled: buffalo herb (which grows in a national park were the last european buffalo's live), lemon, juniper berry, pepper, cherry, mountain herbs, honey, etc. These vodka are served at the dinner table with national dishes.

Vodka is also being made in the Baltic shore states, but especially in Sweden and Finland, where the distillers have taken it upon themselves to reach the maximal obtainable purity.

Vodka is often served straight, with caviar or smoked salmon and is best served very cold. In traditional restaurants in Russia, vodka is served at -20° Celsius, straight from the freezer, in a ice bucket.

Vodka is a neutral and clear spirit and is fit a base for many different types of cocktails.