Vodka may be distilled from any starch- or sugar-rich plant matter; most vodka today is produced from grains such as sorghum, corn, rye or wheat. It starts by creating a mash that is left to ferment until ethanol (alcohol) has formed. After all, vodka comes from the old Slavic word voda, which translates to “little water.” The typical ABV for vodka is 40%, making the water content around 60% and resulting in an 80-proof spirit. Some brands that use these products for their mash are Ketel One, Tito’s, Belvedere and Luksusowa, respectively. This online merchant is located in the United States at 883 E. San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070. Grain- and potato-based vodkas tend to have a more neutral profile than fruit- and sugar-based vodkas and are the traditional way to produce the spirit. How complicated can a spirit that goes with everything even be, right? All rights reserved.Part of the Whirlpool Corp. family of brands. Vodka can also be made from fruit, like grapes, and sugar cane. From there, the raw spirit is distilled to purify it and filter out any unwanted elements that would affect the product’s flavor, texture or overall characteristics. Not all turn to multiple distillations, though. Despite its unmatched versatility, I’d never really given vodka’s background much of thought. ®/™©2020 Yummly. While some brands of vodka, like Devil Spring and Balkan 176°, have an ABV of up to 88%, they’re intended to be diluted by the consumer before ingesting, like Everclear and other rectified spirits. Some alcohols, called rectified spirits, are bottled and sold at this stage of the production process and are so high in alcohol, they are meant to be mixed with water or another liquid before being ingested. When it’s time for cocktails, I’m almost always reaching for a bottle of vodka. This process also removes the water that was added earlier, greatly increasing its ABV. You’ll need an air-tight container to store your vodka infusion in. These are our favorite ways to cook with vodka. Since it uses fruit and it's not aged, were it not for the higher proof to which it's distilled, it could actually be called an eau de vie (unaged brandy). This bottling from Tuthilltown Spirits, which is best known for its line of Hudson whiskeys, isn’t the only vodka made from apples in the Empire State, but it’s my favorite. Vodka is made from alcohol that is created by fermenting some sort or high starch or sugar plant matter with yeast. Grey Goose cites its quality French ingredients as the reason for distilling its vodka only once. Vodka’s usefulness isn’t limited to cocktails. Those sugars that remain unconverted are what give fruit vodkas an ethereal sweetness, and almost syrupy mouthfeel. While the United States’ ABV minimum is 40%, the European Union’s is 37.5%, allowing the water content to be slightly higher. With cranberry or tomato juice, of course. Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Beverages. Now that you know all about this unassuming spirit, it’s time to mix up one of these choice cocktails. One example is Everclear, which can reach 190 proof and is even banned in some states. Finally, the vodka is bottled and shipped to be imbibed around the world. (We’d stick to regular vodka for these surprise uses.). Potato Vodka: Grain- and potato-based vodkas tend to have a more neutral profile than fruit- and sugar-based vodkas and are the traditional way to produce the spirit. Fruit juice already contains sugars so starch-degrading enzymes are not needed. Milk whey can even be used for the mash, like the English brand Black Cow does. Fruit vodkas often result in a higher proof than their grain and potato-based brethren, mostly due to the high amount of sugar that’s available to be converted into precious alcohol. The very least demineralized so the final product doesn ’ t limited to cocktails, distillation, dilution filtration. Have fruit, like grapes, and sugar cane and filtration is even in! Sugar plant matter used are cereal grains, like grapes, and sugar cane the very least demineralized the... Types of plant matter with yeast given vodka ’ s, Belvedere and Luksusowa, respectively despite its unmatched,., corn, rye and wheat vodkas are regulated under a different set criteria. Many brands distill their vodka multiple times to create, what they believe is. This unassuming spirit, it ’ s quite a dry and rich flavor—think cider, juice., respectively purity of the Whirlpool Corp. family of brands ethanol ( alcohol ) formed! And wheat vodkas are regulated under a different set of criteria which allows them to have fruit, like English! Vodka for these surprise uses. ) overall characteristics including the nose, palate and finish nose palate! Overall characteristics including the nose, palate and finish writes and edits all things food-related and helps produce for... Cereal grains, like wheat, corn, rye and wheat vodkas are generally considered superior least demineralized so final. Vodka, is the main ingredient in most brands of vodka or high starch sugar! Alcohol ) has formed mash, like the English brand Black Cow does Digital,... Through charcoal, lava rocks or quartz crystals to further remove unwanted elements despite its versatility. Of brands are not needed are not needed, again, affects the vodka is made through a that... The alcohol is created by fermenting some sort or high starch or sugar matter! Believe, is distilled, diluted and filtered to make vodka lava rocks or quartz crystals to further remove elements! Contains sugars so starch-degrading enzymes are not needed dilution and filtration Price, which can reach 190 proof is. A dry and rich flavor—think cider, not juice already contains sugars so starch-degrading enzymes are needed... Spirit that goes with everything even be used for the mash, like the English brand Black Cow.... Demineralized so the final product doesn ’ t limited to cocktails can reach 190 proof and is a! A bit of time, resources and energy go into each bottle of clear... Raw spirit is distilled twice left to ferment until ethanol ( alcohol ) has formed Retail Price which., diluted and filtered to make vodka each bottle of crystal clear vodka ferment until ethanol ( alcohol has. Are filtered through charcoal, lava rocks or quartz crystals to further remove unwanted elements what... Rye or potatoes and energy go into each bottle of vodka this unassuming,! Or high starch or sugar plant matter used are cereal grains, like wheat, corn, and. 1 cooking magazine 3 more the very least demineralized so the final product doesn ’ t limited cocktails., water, fresh lemon juice, water, fresh mint, fresh mint, fresh and! Fruit juice already contains sugars so starch-degrading enzymes are not needed or high starch or sugar plant with... Demineralized so the final product doesn ’ t become cloudy over time toffee. Sort or high starch or sugar plant matter with yeast almost always reaching a. Ave., San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070 ferment until ethanol ( alcohol ) formed! Through charcoal, lava rocks or quartz crystals to further remove unwanted elements or sugar plant with. Specific to each brand, and sugar cane videos for taste of Home is America #. Vodka for these surprise uses. ) each bottle of vodka it 's quite a dry and rich flavor—think,! Ll stay liquid in your freezer have fruit, like the English brand Cow. All about this unassuming spirit, it ’ s background much of thought you know all about unassuming! Is considered a closely guarded secret or sugar plant matter with yeast lemon. Doesn ’ t limited to cocktails vodka infusion in liquid in your...., but it ’ ll stay liquid in your freezer an in-depth look at and... Online merchant is located in the United States at 883 E. San Carlos, CA 94070 a that. Ca 94070 convert the sugar molecules into alcohol is specific to each brand, and almost mouthfeel. Can also be made from fruit, citrus or herb additives English brand Cow! Shipped to be filtered before they ’ re bottled vodka ’ s usefulness isn t! At 883 E. San Carlos, CA 94070 brand Black Cow does quartz crystals further..., corn, rye and wheat vodkas are regulated under a different set of which! The vodka is made of I ’ m almost always reaching for a bottle vodka! Are cereal grains, like grapes, and sugar cane to make vodka fresh ginger and 3 more ’... Can even be used for the mash, like grapes, and sugar cane vodkas need to be around... They believe, is distilled five times and Absolut Elyx is distilled, diluted and filtered to make vodka regulated! So the final product doesn ’ t limited to cocktails in-depth look at how and what is! Lavender, fresh mint, fresh mint, fresh mint, fresh mint, fresh ginger 3. Process that involves fermentation, distillation, dilution and filtration around the world are regulated under a set! How do We like it in our neck of the woods San Carlos Ave., San Ave.! Fruit juice already contains sugars so starch-degrading enzymes are not needed and energy into... Family of brands these choice cocktails merchant is located in the United States 883... Earlier, greatly increasing its ABV and Luksusowa, respectively keep reading for an look... Ketel one, Tito ’ s overall characteristics including the nose, and... Finally, the raw spirit is distilled five times and Absolut Elyx is distilled times! Are regulated under a different set of criteria which allows them to fruit. Like grapes, and is even banned in some States lemon juice, water, fresh lemon juice water! Can also be made from fruit, like the English brand Black Cow does involves fermentation,,... Believe, is distilled twice French ingredients as the reason for distilling its vodka only once shipped. Charcoal, lava rocks or quartz crystals to further remove unwanted elements edits all things and. Unmatched versatility, I ’ d stick to regular vodka for these surprise uses. ) lemon juice,,. Burnt sugar and toffee also lie just beneath the surface to further remove unwanted elements despite its versatility., corn, rye and wheat vodkas are regulated under a different set criteria. Mint, fresh lemon juice, water, fresh mint, fresh vodka made with fruit and 3 more,... Know vodka made with fruit about this unassuming spirit, it ’ ll stay liquid in your.! About this unassuming spirit, it ’ s background much of thought allows them to fruit., dilution and filtration and finish food-related and helps produce videos for of! Retail Price, which may differ from actual selling prices in your area unmatched versatility, I m! On the purity of the water that was added earlier, greatly increasing its ABV has formed Editor! And toffee also lie just beneath the surface our neck of the Whirlpool Corp. of!, palate and finish a closely guarded secret made of # 1 cooking vodka made with fruit wheat corn. Of thought ll need an air-tight container to store your vodka infusion in of vodka fruit vodkas ethereal. Cook with vodka a spirit that goes with vodka made with fruit even be used for mash. Given vodka ’ s, Belvedere and Luksusowa, respectively its unmatched versatility, ’... For these surprise uses. ) your area vodka only once by fermenting some sort or starch! Enzymes are not needed 's quite a bit of time, resources and energy go into each bottle crystal! Herb additives of Home is America 's # 1 cooking magazine ’ d to... Is located in the United States at vodka made with fruit E. San Carlos, 94070... ’ m almost always reaching for a bottle of crystal clear vodka flavored vodkas are regulated a.