Vodka is our most popular libation, a feat that occurred in the 1970’s when it outpaced bourbon as America’s favorite spirit. The word vodka stems from the Russian word, voda, which means water. We raise our glass on October 4th to toast National Vodka Day.
If you’re a vodka lover, why not incorporate it with your passion for travel? Here are some of the best places to visit to learn more about vodka.
- Warsaw, Poland, part of the world’s “Vodka Belt:” Poland is just as known for its vodka as Russia. To be considred a Polish vodka, it must be made with Polish grown potatoes or grains including whate, oats, rye or barely. The Polish rye vodka is the richest and the most intense when it comes to taste and the aroma. The most popular Polish vodka is the award-winning Wyborowa. In the U.S. Belvedere vodka is one of the most popular Polish vodkas. While in Poland, take a tour of the Polish Vodka Museum. Learn about the 500-year history of the most famous Polish alcohol. You can also see the evolution of its production technology from 500 years ago through today. See a collection of bottles from as far back as the 1940’s. Learn about vodka traditions and the local customs associated with it. If you have time enjoy a meal at the restaurant or 24 hour Bistro. Ready to visit Poland? You can take escorted Poland tours or combine a trip with other countries in Central Europe.
- St Petersburg, Russia,” the home of vodka”. Russian vodka is famous all over the world. When visiting Russia you wont see vodka served with orange juice, soda or over ice….they drink it straight and a lot of it! Visit the vodka museum. In under 30 minutes you learn about the custom and hsitroy of Russian vodka and end with a tasting of 3 popular local vodkas. See the world’s one of a kind vodka bottles and glasses. Next door grab a bite to eat at Russian Vodka Room №1. Opened since 2008 it is the only restaurant of Russian cuisine where you can taste the dishes from different historical periods plus over 200 kinds of Russian vodka. The best time to visit Russia is May through September. Book your Russian tours for 2022 now and be on ready to experience to the largest country in the world and all its glory. Another great way to travel the region is on a Volga river cruise.
- Schiedam, the Netherlands, home to Ketel One vodka. Schiedam, Holland (located about an hour from Amsterdam,) is the perfect place for vodka lovers. The Nolet Distillery, founded in 1691, offers two hours of viewing the property and looking at the new windmill. You will see, experience and discover the distillation process and you’ll have a chance to see the modern technology of the bottling plant, the cask attic and the Logistics Centre from where our global operations are managed. Why not book a Holland tour during the peak bloom of the tulips mid April through early May?
- Absolut Vodka is quintessentially Swedish vodka. It is one of the world’s most iconic spirit brands. It is manufactured in the southern Swedish region of Scania and in the small towns of Nobbelov and Ahus. It is made exclusively with grains from southern Sweden. During your tour, follow guides through all of the rooms of the Absolut Home – and the proud story of Absolut Vodka. During 90 minutes, you will learn how one of the world’s finest spirits is created, why it was created in the first place and much more.
- Mythology spirits distillery in the United States is recognized as Colorado’s top distillery, producing whisky, gin, vodka and rum. Craft cocktails are available, as well as a distillery tour at Mythology in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood. Woody Creek Distillers in Basalt boasts a truly Colorado-raised spirit. The distillers control every element of its production from farming organically grown spuds to single-batch distilling the vodka using a German-made still.
- Ciroc is a truly modern vodka, smooth, playfully sophisticated and cheekily going against the grain. Born from generations of wine makers and distillers dating back to the 15th century, Jean-Sebastien Robicquet is the master distiller of CIROC, based in Villevert, France in the wine region of Cognac. Unlike most vodkas, which are made from grain, CÎROC™ Ultra-Premium Vodka is gluten-free and distilled from fine French grapes; a process inspired by over a century of wine-making expertise and craftsmanship. It is the fine French grapes and the fifth distillation at the historic Distillerie de Chevanceaux in the South of France that give CÎROC™ Ultra-Premium Vodka a distinctive flavor with an exceptionally fresh, citrus taste.
- Tito’s handmade vodka was created in Austin, Texas. Tour the original shack and the state of art bottling facility, where you will sample the batch that was produced that day. Tito’s distillery is the oldest legal distillery in Texas and produces vodka that is sold in 92 countries. In Austin, you can also visit Deep Eddy Vodka’s tasting room to try some specialty flavors, like ruby-red grapefruit and sweet tea.
