Vodka

Vodka (Russian: во́дка; Polish: wódka) is a strong, clear, typically colorless liquor, usually distilled from fermented grain. It is commonly thought that the term is a diminutive of the Slavic word "voda" (woda, вода) for "water," although there exists another opinion (see below).

Related Topics:
Russian - Polish - Color - Liquor - Distilled - Fermented - Grain - Diminutive - Water

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Except for insignificant amounts of flavorings, vodka consists of water and alcohol (ethanol). Vodka usually has an alcohol content ranging from 35 percent to 60 percent by volume. The classic Russian vodka is 40 percent (80 degrees proof), the number being attributed to the famous Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. According to the Vodka Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Mendeleev thought that the perfect percentage to be 38, but since spirits in his time were taxed on their strength the percentage was rounded up to 40 to simplify the tax computation.

Related Topics:
Ethanol - Proof - Chemist - Dmitri Mendeleev

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vodka is the basis of a number of popular drinks, including the Bloody Mary, the Bullshot, and the Vodka Martini (also known as a Vodkatini), a dry martini made with vodka instead of gin.

Related Topics:
Bloody Mary - Bullshot - Vodka Martini - Martini - Gin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~