Vodka might be one of the most versatile liquors on the bar cart. While the vodka soda is classic and a popular bar libation, the spirit's mild flavor makes it a great contender for mixing or stirring—we see you, vodka martini. It's the star of the fruity, yet strong Cosmopolitan, the brunch favorite Bloody Mary, and the gingery Moscow Mule. You'll also find it in many party punches.
But there's much more to this clear liquor than you might think. Here are nine things you probably don't know about vodka. Save these fun facts in your back pocket for the next happy hour.
Vodka Used To Be Called Gorzalka
In the 1400s, the alcohol was referred to as gorzalka, a derivative of the Polish word gorzec, meaning "to burn." Honestly, it was a more accurate representation than today's term, vodka, which comes from the Slavic word for water, voda.
It Doesn't Have To Be Made From Potatoes
It's commonly thought that all vodka is made from potatoes, but most vodka is actually made from grains. Vermont Spirits' Vermont Gold Vodka is made from maple sap and Cîroc is derived from grapes.
A Shot Has Fewer Than 100 Calories
Straight vodka is one of the lighter liquors you can imbibe. A jigger contains about 97 calories and no sugar or carbs.
It's Less Likely To Give You A Hangover Than Other Spirits
You've probably noticed that vodka brands like to tout the fact that their spirits have been distilled multiple times. Every round of distilling acts as a filter, creating a purer finished product. One of the substances distillation weeds out is congeners, which can contribute to hangovers, since they're hard for the liver to break down.
There's A Vodka Belt
The U.S. has the Corn Belt and the Rice Belt, and Europe has production belts, too. The Vodka Belt, which stretches over a group of Nordic, Baltic, and Slavic countries, produces more than 70 percent of the European Union's vodka.
Smirnoff Is The World's Favorite Brand
In 2023, Smirnoff sold 26 million 9-liter cases of vodka, making it the leading global brand, according to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform.
There Is A Lot Of Flavored Vodka
Brands have gotten some pretty interesting flavors into market, ranging from salted caramel to pickle and bacon.
There's A $3.7 Million Bottle Of Vodka
And you're definitely paying more for the bottle than the five liters of vodka inside. A bottle of Billionaire Vodka is encrusted with over 3,000 diamonds, and also has solid gold labels and Swarovski crystals. It's the most expensive bottle but not the only one of its kind: Russo-Baltique unveiled a $1.3 million vodka in 2015, Belvedere once shilled a $7,200 bottle, and Stoli made a $3,000 version that came with a gold-plated ice pick.
Vodka Was Once Used As A Currency
Yes, you read that correctly. According to Absolut, the liquid used to be used as currency because it wasn't affected by inflation. This means it could be used to pay for anything from goods to services. In some regions around the world, vodka is still used as currency, and in Russia, it remains a popular means of exchanging goods and services, reports the brand.
Vodka Doesn't Freeze Easily
If you've ever stuck a bottle of vodka in your freezer, you probably know the liquid doesn't freeze. Compared to water, vodka freezes at a much lower temperature—about -10 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Grey Goose. Most freezers are usually 0 degrees.
