Ukranian Vodka - Horilka

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Vodka ("horilka" in Ukrainian) stands high among the top stereotypes used to describe Ukrainians.

Anyone new in the country can tell that vodka is indeed a highly popular national drink, simply by viewing the vodka section at any supermarket -- it runs several meters, showcasing an amazing variety of vodka brands.

There are no less than 40 of them produced in Ukraine, while an average supermarket holds as much as 20.

Besides, most brands offer a number of different kinds each.

Naturally, Ukrainian vodka is one of the common souvenirs any tourist tries to take home.

And that's where he faces the difficulty of choice.

A classical definition of vodka is "a drink of water and ethanol, containing a small amount of impurities, sometimes with berry or fruit flavorings as well as spices."

One of the widespread myths is that of vodka as an original Russian/Ukrainian drink.

In truth, the first to obtain liquid similar to vodka was Persian Doctor Al-Razi -- in the XI century he managed to extract ethanol by distillation.

But of course with Persia being a Muslim country which prohibits alcohol entirely, the new liquid was used only for medical purposes.

The first to distill alcohol in Europe was an Italian monk-alchemic, Valentius.

Using Arab methods to distill grape must and turn it into ethanol, Italians obtained "aqua vitae," which later gave birth to all modern spirits -- brandy, cognac, whiskey, schnapps and of course, vodka.

The history of vodka in Russia began in 1386 when Genoese merchants first brought "aqua vitae" to Moscow.

Instead of grapes, Russians used rye to extract ethanol, thus the Russian called vodka "bread wine" at first.

Back then vodka was frequently flavored with herbs, berries or spices, and in 16th-17th centuries anise vodka was very common.

It lost its popularity long since, but anise is still used in many world-famous spirits: Turksih raki, Greek ouzo, Italian sambuca, and French pastis.

It started with tsar monopoly on vodka production in 15th century, which allowed only tsar-owned factories to produce it and sell it exquisitely in Tsar kabaks (taverns).

Because a lot of vodka was sold on credit, it led to "kabak debts" and consequently to the enslavement of those who couldn't pay up.

The first patented vodka "Moskovksaya Osobennaya" ("Moscow Special") contained 40 percent alcohol, which was said to be an ideal alcohol content by the great Russian chemist Dmitriy Mendeleyev.

In 1914 Tsar Nikolay the Second announced prohibition for the time of war.