The history of vodka is still a subject of debate amongst the Polish and the Russians, with both claiming its origin to their land. But all this hoopla surrounding its origin has not limited vodka to stay within the confines of these countries; rather it has been elevated to the rank of the global drinks. Vodka is considered to be the most popular spirit drinks in America, and as per their government regulations it is known as the spirit without distinctive aroma, taste, color or character.

Vodka is derived from “voda” which in Slavic languages translate to “dear little water”, an affectionate term for the spirit, which is pure like water, and blends with every known beverage.   In the past vodka was also known by other names such as bread wine, korchma wine , distilled wine, bitter wine, etc because vodka was fermented from rye.

Vodka seeped into the pages of history during 10th century when Prince Vladimir of Kiev declared that “drinking is the joy of the Rus”. His words are still dear to Russians as it was 10 centuries ago. The significant dates in the evolution of Vodka are:

1174
The existence of Vodka distillery is reported at Khylnovsk by Vyatka Chronicle.

1386
The Genesis Merchants first introduced “aqua vitae” to Moscow. This drink was used by medics to cure the Great plague that rocked Moscow around the same time.

1448
Russian distillers learned the art of fermenting vodka using the grains. The final byproduct was known as bread wine.

1478
Vodka attains the iconic status in Russia when Tsar Ivan III introduced the first ever monopoly on the production and sale of the drink.

1533
Vodka was sold at Kabak- the first tavern build by Tsar Ivan IV. At kabaks people drank, fought and played dices. Kabaks became the chief source of revenue the state revenue. Due to this reason, the Rurikoviches, Boris Godunov and the first Romanovs strengthened their grips on the state monopoly of kabaks, when they came into power.

1540
Bread wine, came to be legally known as "vodka".

1716
Peter the Great, offers aristocracy and merchants the exclusive rights to produce vodka.

1751
Vodka became major revenue source contributing up to 40% of the state revenue.

1765
Empress Catherine the Second allowed only the nobility to distil wine and also freed them of all accompanying taxes.

1885
Vodka became a bottled drink, before that it was sold in buckets (12.3 litres)..

1894-1896
Tsarist Government in Russia adopts Mendeleev’s recipe as the absolute standard for vodkas organic assimilation. Mendeleev suggested 80 proof assimilation standards which meant the alcohol content is restricted to 40% volume.

1914
The Tsarist government prohibits vodka production on large scale.

1924
The first Soviet monopoly resumes the vodka production by adopting the Mendeleev’s organic assimilation standards.

1980’s
Gorbachev administration passes resolution to convert number of liquor and vodka distilleries into non-alcoholic production facilities in order to combat drunkenness.  The resolution was soon lifted but the production and product quality of vodka reduced drastically.

1992
Yeltsin administration issued the Decree on the Abolition of the State Monopoly on Vodka; as a result country was flooded with cheap vodka varieties.

1993
Yeltsin administration imposed the new decree reestablishing the State Monopoly on production of alcoholic products.

As said before, vodka is a colorless spirit, with no distinct aroma or character of its own, but there are many flavored vodka versions popular throughout Europe. Nowaday’s natural flavors of lime, cherry, orange and mint are used widely during the distillation process.

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