Ukrainian vodka is legendary. Here is a comprehensive guide to Eastern Europe’s favourite poison.
The Origins Of Vodka
The exact origin of vodka is subject to constant debate. There is very little material to draw conclusions on. Russians and Polish people alike claim they invented it first. One thing is for sure, distillation was not possible until the 8th century. This is when the still (a device that boils and then cools and collects the vapour) was invented and producing hard liquor like vodka became possible.
Distilled drinks exist in many different cultures. In France, it’s the cognac, in Scotland – the whiskey, and in Eastern Europe – vodka.
What Is Ukrainian Vodka?
It is a distilled drink made out of cereal grains or potatoes. In some countries (i.e. Bulgaria and Serbia), they distil fermented fruit to make liquor. Vodka companies have embraced that but strictly speaking, the product should not be called vodka.
Vodka is grain-based (or potato-based but this is rare nowadays). Enough said.
Ukrainian Vodka Is Not Called Vodka?
In Ukraine, the traditional distilled beverage is called horilka. The word comes from Ukrainian verb for burning – hority. It’s pretty much a blanket term that could refer to any strong spirit, including vodka. Traditionally, horilka is distilled from wheat or rye and it has the same alcohol content as vodka.
By definition, it’s the same thing as vodka. Don’t say this to Ukrainians, though.
Besides…
What Makes Horilka Different
Ukrainian vodka would imply two ingredients:
- Ethanol
- And water
There are different ways to ensure the vodka is free from all impurities. First off, producers remove parts of the distillate that contain ethyl acetate and ethyl lactate as well as the fusel oils. These compounds alter the taste and are best removed through multiple distillations.
The resulting vodka is then filtered through activated charcoal to achieve the perfect clean taste.
None of these happens for horilka. Ukrainians embrace the different flavours and aromas the drink can have. There are also derivative drinks that use horilka and flavour it with fruit, honey, spices, or even milk.
Spicy Horilka – The Must-Try
I’m sorry, you are not leaving Ukraine before trying this.
The hot pepper-flavoured Ukrainian vodka is a staple in any foreigner’s programme, no matter how short. It can either contain whole hot peppers inside (the longer they soak, the spicier it will be), or pepper essence.
In my experience, the former tastes more real but the latter is way hotter.
Now, for some terminology:
- Horilka z pertsem is horilka bottled or aged with some hot chilli peppers inside. Sometimes they are left in the bottle, while other producers leave them out.
- Pertsivka is flavoured with either hot pepper or pepper essence.
- Medova z pertsem gets sweetened with honey and then they soak the peppers. The result is spicy, sweet, and really easy to drink (a.k.a. get drunk on)
Spicy horilka is also the most common homemade type. It’s fairly easy to throw together and it does taste amazing. The heat of the pepper makes the strong liquor easier to drink (kind of like the Tabasco sauce in Russian Breakfast shots) and the honey softens up the harsh flavours.
How To Drink Ukrainian Vodka The Ukrainian Way - we will show and tell during this tour by 4Utours.
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