Vodka is not served in a martini, or a gimlet, or a screwdriver; in Russia, vodka is drunk all by itself, ice cold, and in a shot rather than sipped.
According to Russians, vodka is meant to be served pure and chilled. It should be extremely cold to get the enhanced taste of it. It always has to be kept in the freezer and drank fast before it loses its chill.
In Russia, vodka is traditionally drunk neat and not in cocktails.
The optimal drinking temperature of vodka is somewhere between 32-39 degrees Fahrenheit. And this should be achieved one of three ways: Storing in the refrigerator.
That's not to say that room temperature is ideal for the good stuff. Ideal for high-quality vodka is about zero to four degrees Celsius (32 to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit), Thibault told Business Insider, noting that that "is the temperature of a slight dilution with ice in a mixing glass."
Chilled vodka has a better taste and texture
Slinging down a cold shot goes down smoother due to a group of compounds known as volatiles. These structures readily vaporize, contributing to desirable flavors, like in whiskey, and that alcohol-on-the-nose sensation associated with low-quality liquors explains VinePair.
Spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, etc. don't need to be refrigerated because the high alcohol content preserves their integrity. And most liqueurs also have a satisfactorily high alcohol content, as well as sugar that also helps to keep the flavors preserved.
This could be a problem if you're outside having drinks and don't realize that you can actually get a lot drunker much faster, when it's hot. Not only could consuming what seems like a normal amount of alcohol make you sick, it could lead to a drunk driving charge.
Vodka has a high alcohol content, so drinking it straight will likely lead to getting drunk. Drinking it straight can also hurt your health in ways that mixing it may not.
The Russian equivalent for Cheers! is За здоровье! [za zda-ró-vye]. Literally it means: "To your health!".
Australia: An ABC News article published in 2018 described lemon, lime, and bitters (LLB) as "Australia's national drink". Lemon, lime, and bitters is a mixed drink made with (clear) lemonade, lime cordial, and Angostura bitters. The lemonade is sometimes substituted with soda water or lemon squash.
It's important to note that alcoholism and the consumption of drink in Russia has been falling in recent years. However, the country still has a major problem with alcohol abuse and, because it is cheap and readily available, this is sadly a reason why so many Russians' drink vodka.
“Adding spiked ice cubes to cocktails lends additional alcohol and flavor to the base of the beverage,” explains Allen Lancaster, cocktail artisan at The Bar at The Spectator Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. “Another benefit is that you can create a drink that evolves as the cube melts.”
Absolutely, this is known as drinking it “neat” or “straight” and is a standard practice for many vodka consumers. You can add ice if wished or just drink it as it is.
Immediately after toasting but before drinking, most Russians will perform a very loud and obvious exhale, which is supposed to have some mitigating effect on a hangover.
For getting a little drunk, three shots of vodka are enough. If you continue to drink up to 8 to 9 shots, that's when they start getting more drunk. The upper cap for men is ten shots of vodka. Exceeding this, they will be extremely drunk.
When someone consumes too much alcohol, the most reliable way to sober up is to sleep while the body processes the alcohol. Other tips, such as drinking coffee and exercising, may help people appear sober for a while.
Unlike beer or wine, a shot of vodka can actually reduce blood sugar levels. This is most effective when taken straight, so order it neat or on the rocks.
When making mixed drinks, first add ice, then liquor and then your mixers. The average pour of alcohol is 1.5 ounces (or a “jigger”), but depending on your mixers and audience, it can go anywhere from 1 to 2.
Place the bottle in the freezer and leave it there as long as you can. It will speed up the chilling process and you will start to notice it within 30 minutes. If you can wait for two hours, even better.
That said, if you store hard liquor at moderate temperature away from direct light, it lasts indefinitely. At 30% to 40%, liquor is not a hospitable environment for bacteria. And if it's not opened, you'll deal with virtually no oxidation. But once you open a liquor bottle, oxidation begins.
It's best to enjoy these within 90 days of opening. If you notice a strange smell to your vodka, you don't want to not drink it.