Types of vodka and drinks similar to it

Inexperienced consumers believe that there are no types of vodka, and all that is sold is only ethyl alcohol diluted with water. But in fact, the vodka assortment is very wide. Not only is the alcohol itself obtained by different methods, it is also possible to improve the taste of the drink with various additives.

In Russia, it is customary to distinguish two types of vodkas: ordinary and special.

Ordinary – these are simple water-alcohol mixtures that do not contain foreign impurities, they only include alcohol and water. The taste of these vodkas depends on the concentration of alcohol and the quality of the water. In our stores, ordinary species are represented by such varieties of vodka as Pshenichnaya, Ordinary Starorusskaya, Sibirskaya, Extra.

Special – in their production, aromatic and flavoring additives are used that soften the burning taste of alcohol. Drinking them is more pleasant than ordinary types of vodkas. Special vodkas include: Stolichnaya, Posolskaya, Russkaya, Moskovskaya Osobaya and Rossiyskaya.

In many countries, there are alcoholic drinks that resemble vodka. The recipe and raw materials may differ, but in a sense, it is also vodka.

Vodka-like drinks

Name of vodka Raw materials Country
Absinthe sagebrush France, Czech Republic
Anisetta anise Spain
Arak anise Lebanon, Iraq
Arak dates Turkey
Arka koumiss Buryatia and Kalmykia
Bamboo bamboo Indonesia
Barats-Palinka apricot Croatia, Hungary
Buryakovka (Buryachikha) sugar beet Ukraine
Villamina pear Switzerland
Whiskey barley Ireland, England
Bourbon whiskey corn and wheat USA
Grappa grape Italy
Gin juniper cones England, Ireland
Melon melons Kabardino-Balkaria
Calvados apples France, Spain
Cannabis hemp Czech
Kashasa sugarcane Brazil
Kirschwasser Cherry Germany
Maotai rice China
Mastic anise Bulgaria
Peisakhovka raisin Israel
Pulque Cactus Mexico
Sake rice Japan
Sambuca anise Italy
Chacha grape Georgia
Schnapps potato Germany
Yarzhebyak Rowan Poland

As you can see from the table, drinks similar to vodka are made from raw materials that are in abundance in a particular area. Mainly used are cereals, grapes and anise.

Do not forget that only drinks produced in Russia can be called “vodka”. This right was received by the USSR in 1982 by a decision of international arbitration.


The most popular vodka varieties in Russia

Experts distinguish vodka varieties depending on the degree of alcohol purification and production technology. Knowing them, you can easily navigate the assortment when choosing a drink. We will consider only those varieties that have already managed to positively recommend themselves.

Last time we found out that there are only two types of vodkas : ordinary and special. It is more difficult to deal with vodka varieties, since there are much more of them. Domestic producers, having only slightly changed the recipe and technology, immediately consider their product to be a new unique variety of vodka. In this situation, it is advisable to consider only those varieties that were developed back in the USSR.

Moscow special – is considered the vodka standard, the strength is 40%, it is made only from alcohols of the “extra” and “luxury” class (of the highest quality).

Russian – alcohol of the highest purity and specially prepared water are used for cooking. This vodka is also considered a reference, but its quality is somewhat lower than that of Moskovskaya. The standard fortress is 40%.

Starorusskaya – made according to an old recipe from high quality alcohol and drinking water. This variety has a characteristic vodka aroma; it is preferred by true connoisseurs of vodka.

Stolichnaya is considered one of the best Russian vodkas in the world. It differs from other varieties in softness, refined aroma and absence of impurities. The fortress varies from 37 to 42 degrees.

Wheat – made from selected wheat raw materials. The taste is mild without any third-party flavors, the strength is 40%.

Posolskaya is an elite variety of strong vodka made from extra-class alcohols. Differs in crystal transparency and complete absence of smell.

Lemon – vodka with a pronounced lemon scent, overwhelming the taste of alcohol. Thanks to this feature , women like lemon vodka very much, the strength is standard.

Kuban – in addition to water and alcohol, there are other additives in the composition: citric acid, orange and sugar syrup. Kuban vodka has a mild, slightly bitter taste and a pronounced aroma of citrus fruits. Fortress – 40%.

Siberian vodka is a traditional Russian vodka made according to the standard technology and has a higher alcohol content – 45%.

Jubilee – refers to the varieties of strong vodka, as it has a high alcohol content – 45%.

Strong – the name speaks for itself. This vodka contains 56% alcohol. It is advised to drink it only to those who have previously consumed less alcohol-containing vodka, otherwise the consequences can be unpredictable. Do not treat foreigners with “Strong” vodka!

Pepper is famous for a wide range of additives, the main of which is pepper. The alcohol content varies between 30-40%.

Extra – for the preparation of this type of vodka, ethyl alcohol is used, which has passed all stages of purification. Depending on the recipe, other flavor-enhancing components may be added to the composition along with the drinking water.

Hunting is not a classic vodka, as it has a high alcohol content – up to 56%.

Canteen – experts consider this vodka to be of the highest grades. Differs in a high degree of purification and mild taste, standard strength.

In addition to the aforementioned varieties, there are others: “Petrovskaya”, “Prazdnichnaya”, “Rossiyskaya”, “Zubrovka”. They have no distinctive features, the only difference is in the name.

From time to time, new varieties of vodka appear in Russia. For example, Gold of Russia, Imperial, For Three, Kalashnikov, Olympus and Smirnov. In their production, the most modern technologies are used (as the manufacturers assure). But it is too early to talk about the popularity of these varieties.


Procedure for getting beer on a laptop

It is not uncommon for people to pour beer onto their laptop. An open bottle stands near the computer, but suddenly, with one careless movement, it falls over on the keyboard. None of us is immune from this annoying situation. I’ll tell you what to do to save my device. The tips are relevant for any liquid (water, coffee, juice, soda) that gets on your laptop.

You need to act quickly before the beer seeps through the keyboard and causes a short circuit in the electrical boards. You only have a few seconds (up to a minute) to minimize losses. If you do not have time, the price of the repair will unpleasantly surprise you.

Tips for the user who spills beer on a laptop

1. Immediately disconnect the power supply from the mains. To do this, it is better to unplug the cord directly from the laptop, rather than look for an outlet under the table, it will be faster.

2. If a lot of beer has spilled onto the device, the laptop is placed on its edge and the liquid is poured from the keyboard onto the table.

Then the battery is disconnected. I recommend that you find out in advance how this is done in your model, otherwise you will waste precious time. There is no need to worry about the correct shutdown of Windows, now it is more important to quickly de-energize the device itself.

3. If some beer is spilled on the laptop, then simply lift it up to disconnect the battery. Then the liquid is absorbed with wipes or cotton wool.

4. It remains to disconnect the backup battery (if installed) and remove the Real-time CMOS battery (desirable but not required). Only then is the laptop completely de-energized.

5. The device needs to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. If the leftover beer is not removed, the laptop will break down after a while due to electrochemical corrosion. The best option is to take it to a service center, where professionals will do the restoration.

A flooded laptop should not be rinsed with water and dried with a hairdryer; these actions will only aggravate the situation. For cleaning, alcohol or special chemicals are used.


6 tips for choosing wine in the store

The overwhelming majority of our citizens know about wine only that it can be red, white, sweet, semi-sweet and dry. This knowledge is usually enough. Problems begin when you have to choose a good wine in the store. We will consider the important nuances that you should pay attention to when choosing a drink.

It is believed that only professionals (sommeliers) can determine the quality of wine, and a common man cannot do it. In fact, wine is an ordinary commodity with simple characteristics, the meaning of which can be understood by everyone.

Wine selection rules in the store

1. We buy only dry and sweet wines. The fact is that semi-sweet wines are popular only in Russia and neighboring countries. Often, for their preparation, the lowest-quality wine materials and production waste of other types are used.

In addition, semi-sweet wines contain more preservatives than dry and sweet wines. This is due to the fact that dry wines do not contain sugar, so their fermentation is difficult. In sweet varieties, sugar is a natural preservative.

When you buy semi-sweet wine, you agree to drink a low-quality product that contains a lot of preservatives and other chemicals.

2. The name of the manufacturer. On the front side of the label of good wines, their manufacturer must be indicated. All honest distilleries strive to make their products recognizable. They print their name (trade mark) in large letters on the label, and do not hide behind a small print.

3. Harvest year. Good wines are labeled with the vintage of the grapes. If this information is not available, most likely you are buying a diluted concentrate or another achievement of modern chemistry.

4. Grape varieties. Quality wines in the lower and middle price range are made by mixing (blending) several grape varieties, the producer must name them. For example, a bottle of Italian Chianti wine may contain the following information about varieties: Sangiovese 80%, Colorino 10%, Punitello 10%.

If you see the inscription on the label: “wine made from selected grape varieties”, this is a drink made from leftovers that are not suitable for the production of quality wines.

The exception is French wines. According to the legislation, the producers of this country have the right not to indicate on the label the variety of grapes used. The quality of their products is controlled on a regional basis.

5. Container and cork. I advise you to buy only bottled and barrel wine. A beverage made from cardboard bags is good for cooking at best, but you shouldn’t drink it. If the manufacturer saves on packaging, this is a sure sign of poor quality.

When choosing a wine, pay special attention to the cork. It should not leak or dry out. Modern wine corks are made from wood and plastic. Although the plastic does not dry out, wooden corks are preferable as they do not affect the taste and smell. The first thing experienced winemakers do after opening a bottle is sniffing the cork. If you smell a musty smell, you can’t drink wine, it has deteriorated.

6. The price of the bottle. Only naive people believe that there is good wine on sale at a price below 350 rubles per bottle. There are no miracles in the world, a quality product cannot be cheap.


How to store cognac at home

The taste of cognac largely depends on the correct storage. So that the drink does not spoil and continues to delight you with its unsurpassed organoleptic properties, you need to create suitable conditions in the house. This is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. It is enough to control four parameters: bottle position, tightness, temperature and light.

Few people can afford to store cognac in oak barrels, limiting themselves to ordinary bottles. But in bottles the cognac doesn’t get any better. If you do not create suitable conditions, its quality only deteriorates. Therefore, I do not recommend stocking up on a drink for several years in advance, it is much wiser to periodically renew your stocks.

When storing cognac at home, be sure to pay attention to the following points:

1. Position of the bottle. Cognac alcohol quickly absorbs any odors, so the bottle must be in a strictly upright position. Otherwise, after a while, the drink will smell like a cork.

2. Tightness. To prevent the cork from drying out and the ingress of air, the neck of the bottle is poured with sealing wax. Do this if you plan to drink cognac only after a few years, then it will not deteriorate.

Opened cognac can be stored for no longer than 2-3 months. Of course, it does not turn sour like wine or beer, but trapped air quickly degrades the aroma and taste. It is better to pour the unfinished cognac into a container of smaller volume and close it tightly.

3. Temperature and light. The optimum storage temperature for cognac is -5-15 ° C. You also need to protect the drink from direct sunlight, keeping it in a dark room.

Subject to these conditions, the shelf life of cognac is unlimited.


Health benefits of cognac

Cognac is rightfully considered one of the most valuable and respected alcoholic beverages. Consuming it in reasonable amounts is not only enjoyable, but also beneficial to health. I will tell you how to maximize this benefit.

Biologically active substances in cognac have a positive effect on the body as a whole. Only 20-30 grams of the drink dilates blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and stimulating the heart. Even cardiologists do not deny this. In small quantities, cognac helps against headaches and angina attacks. Tannin and tannins contribute to the rapid absorption of vitamin C. Cognac stimulates appetite and stimulates the secretion of gastric juice, in some cases even relieves stomach cramps.

By adding a few drops of cognac to tea, you can boost your immune system and protect yourself from colds. Warmed cognac is an excellent remedy for sore throat, which is used for gargling. To bring down the heat, warm cognac is drunk with honey and lemon. When treating bronchitis, it is heated and mixed with milk.

Also cognacs relieve toothache well. It is enough to moisten two pieces of cotton wool in the drink, apply one of them to the aching tooth, the other near the ear, to which the affected tooth is closer. After a few minutes, the pain will subside.

Cognac is beneficial for improving hearing and memory. Winston Churchill is a prime example. In his life, the famous British politician loved two things – cognac and cigars. He died at the age of 90 in sound mind and memory.

In order not to harm your health, doctors recommend drinking no more than 30 ml of brandy per day. At the same time, it is better to drink it without additives (coffee, tonic, soda, etc.). Another important point is that the benefits of cognac depend on its quality. If you bought a surrogate made from oak sawdust, then do not expect a preventive and therapeutic effect from it.

Cognac is contraindicated for people suffering from hypotension, diabetes, cholelithiasis and other chronic diseases. In this case, it is better to refrain from using it.


The best beer based drinks

Beer-based drinks primarily include cocktails and fruit mixes. Manufacturers try to surprise customers by creating different options and recipes. Sometimes, after such experiments, very tasty things are obtained. We take a look at 5 of the most popular homemade beer cocktails.


1. “Birmix”

Prepared by mixing light beer with fruit juice (lemon, orange, grapefruit or cherry). After several attempts, you will find the optimal proportion for yourself. I advise you to start by adding two parts beer and one part juice.

You can buy ready-made “beer mixes” in stores, but these drinks contain many chemical additives. Therefore, it is better to prepare beer with juice on your own. Buy beer and juice separately, then mix.

2. “Devil’s cocktail”

Thrill lovers will like it, not everyone will be able to drink the entire portion at a time.

Ingredients:

  • beer – 250 ml;
  • rum – 10 ml;
  • ground black pepper – 1 pinch;
  • instant coffee – 5 grams;
  • salt – 5 grams.

Preparation: mix all the ingredients and pour the cocktail into a glass. Top can be decorated with a lemon wedge.

3. Cocktail “Princess”

A female version of a beer drink with an original sweetish aftertaste.

Ingredients:

  • light beer – 150 ml;
  • white grapes – 1 bunch;
  • ginger – 1 pinch.

Preparation: remove the grapes from the bunch, cut the berries into halves and place in a beer glass. Add ginger, pour cold beer, let it brew for 1-2 minutes.

4. Cocktail “Hoof kick”

2-3 servings of this cocktail drunk in one evening cause strong intoxication, hence the formidable name.

Ingredients:

  • beer – 0.5 l;
  • sugar – 200 grams;
  • alcohol (96%) – 10 ml.

Preparation: boil beer, add sugar, stir thoroughly and remove from heat. After cooling to room temperature, add alcohol. The cocktail is well served chilled.

5. “Ruff”

The most famous beer drink of “lethal” power. But this is not just vodka with beer, you need to adhere to certain proportions, otherwise the result is unpredictable.

Ingredients:

  • vodka – 50 ml;
  • light beer – 200 ml;
  • lemon juice (sprite) – 1 teaspoon.

Preparation: pour cold light beer into a large glass, add lemon juice (sprite), remove foam and pour in vodka. Cover the glass with your palm, stir. The drink is ready, you need to drink it in one gulp.


Cognac from moonshine at home

Real cognac is made from grape alcohol, but this has never stopped the moonshiners. Experienced distillers know how to make cognac from moonshine with minimal costs, which will resemble the real one. We will look at two of the best recipes that have received popular acclaim.

A warning! After preparation, you get a drink that only vaguely resembles cognac in color and smell. We will not use grape alcohol, adhere to the classic technology with two fractional distillations and keep the distillate for at least 3 years in oak barrels. This recipe has nothing to do with real grape brandy.

Ingredients:

  • moonshine (vodka) – 3 liters;
  • walnut partitions – 1 handful;
  • black tea – 1 tablespoon;
  • carnation – 6-7 buds;
  • caraway seeds – 1 tablespoon;
  • vanilla sugar – 1 tablespoon;
  • citric acid – 2-3 grams.

Moonshine cognac recipe

1. Purify moonshine for cognac by any available method, for example, coal or make a double distillation, after diluting the distillate to a strength of 18-20 degrees. The main thing is to get a high-quality alcoholic base without a pungent smell.

2. Add to the jar a handful of well-dried inner partitions of walnuts, black tea and clove buds.

3. Add caraway seeds and vanilla sugar.

4. Add citric acid last on the tip of the knife. Mix.

5. Close the jar tightly with a nylon lid and infuse the cognac drink for 3-4 days at room temperature in a dark place (you can cover it).

It is pointless to keep homemade cognac for more than 7 days, as it does not improve the taste.

6. At the last stage, filter the resulting drink through a clean cotton cloth or cotton-gauze filter. Pour into bottles for storage and seal. Shelf life away from direct sunlight – up to 3 years. Fortress 36-38%.

There is an alternative recipe for homemade cognac from moonshine (video). The cooking technology is no different from the first method, but different ingredients are used. Imitation of color, aroma and taste is achieved by adding prunes, cloves and allspice to the distillate.


Non-alcoholic wine – the usual taste without degrees

Non-alcoholic wine was invented over 100 years ago. In 1908, scientist Carl Jung received a patent for the right to produce wine without alcohol. The invention did not bring the doctor wealth and fame. In the last century, few people understood why such a drink was needed. But times are changing, now non-alcoholic wine is experiencing a rebirth, and there are reasons for this.

Most people who lead a healthy lifestyle have a negative attitude towards drinking. For them, non-alcoholic beer and wine is the only way to support the company and not be a “black sheep” during a feast. Non-alcoholic wine will also be appreciated by drivers who have to use their vehicle every day. Now they can enjoy the taste of wine without fear of losing their driver’s license.

The production of non-alcoholic wine is no different from classical winemaking, just one more stage is added – the chemical evaporation of alcohol. This method preserves the acidity and original taste of the drink. Modern technologies make it possible to make any wine non-alcoholic, regardless of its type and variety, from Beaujolais to Cahors.

It is impossible to completely remove alcohol from wine. Even with the most thorough filtration, 0.5-1% alcohol remains in the drink. After a few glasses of drunk, experts recommend getting behind the wheel not earlier than after 1-2 hours. Also, non-alcoholic wines are not recommended for pregnant women, as in some cases they can provoke allergies and other problems with the fetus.

Due to the complicated production technology, non-alcoholic wine is more expensive than usual. But there is a sense to overpay, since all useful substances (more than 100 different vitamins and microelements) are preserved in non-alcoholic counterparts.

Famous brands

German distilleries have been particularly successful in the production of non-alcoholic wines. Their brands Peter Mertes and Klaus Langhoff are popular all over the world. The price starts at 300 rubles per bottle. Marketing research has shown that in Europe non-alcoholic wines are interested in the most paying customers – people aged 25-45.

Taking into account the interest of consumers, several domestic producers announced their intention to expand their assortment with brands of non-alcoholic wine. There is reason to believe that soon this drink will be much cheaper.


Per capita beer consumption in Russia and the world – little-known facts

The level of beer consumption in a country depends on many factors: income of citizens, drinking habits, legal restrictions, the number of breweries, etc. It is also noted that in countries with a developed beer culture, the percentage of people who prefer strong alcoholic beverages is lower. But this does not apply to Russia, our citizens love vodka and beer equally. More on this below.

According to statistics for 2011, the average European level of beer consumption per capita is 70-80 liters per year. The leaders of the rating are: Czech Republic (112.8 liters), Austria (108.2) and Germany (106.7 liters). On average, each resident of these countries drinks 1 liter of beer every 3 days.

Per capita beer consumption in Russia is 65.3 liters, that is, two times less than that of the leader – the Czech Republic. More than others, people aged 25-45 are addicted to the foamy drink. More or less regularly drink beer 57% of the inhabitants of Russia, of which 75% are men. Experts call Baltika, Zhigulevskoe and Klinskoe the most popular beer brands in Russia.

Although on average Russians drink 20% less beer per year than Europeans, the domestic beer market is gradually shrinking (by 16% compared to the previous year). No growth is expected in the coming years.

This is due to legislative restrictions in recent years, in particular the ban on the sale of beer in public places, and the fact that Russians prefer strong alcoholic drinks (vodka, cognac, wine, etc.). Also, over the past few years, beer has been squeezed out of the market by other low-alcohol drinks – energy drinks and cocktails.

Interestingly, the world leaders in beer consumption – the Czech Republic and Austria – are not included in the rating of the world’s largest producers of this drink. China is the leader here, producing 2.430 million gallons of beer a year. In second place is the United States – 2350 million gallons. Only Germany, with 1,090 million gallons, made it into both rankings, finishing third.


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