National Vodka Day

ru:User:Veikia / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

October 4th is National Vodka Day in the United States.

Vodka is a clear distilled alcoholic drink that is made from fermented substances, such as potatoes and grains. Cereal grains are the traditional source, but potatoes became a recent alternative. More modern vodkas may be made with fruit.

Vodka is commonly associated with Russia, but it is prevalent in other Eastern European countries, especially Poland. Scandinavia is also a source of vodka, although, for example, Swedish vodka only started being called that in the mid-twentieth century.

It is not known precisely when or where vodka originated. It appears to have been around in what is now Russia in the 9th century, but may date back to 8th century Poland. Vodka is a fairly strong spirit. In the European Union, vodka has to be over 37.5% proof in order to be called vodka. Vodka is drunk neat and, in countries known as the vodka belt, vodka is served freezer chilled, though this is a custom that has migrated to other countries too.

Vodka is usually clear, and is a common ingredient in cocktails. There has been a recent growth in commercially available flavoured vodkas, although vodka has been flavoured for years to improve its taste.