What liquor is Russia known for? Russia is famous for vodka, a clear, colorless distilled alcohol manufactured from cereals like wheat, rye, or barley. It is best served with ice and consumed straight, and often included in mixed beverages; other types include cognac, beer, and fruit brandy.
Beer is king in Russia
While it's true vodka is a large part of traditional Russian culture, other drinks are proving more popular throughout Russia. Put away your shot glasses and break out your steins because beer, by some margin, is Russia's alcoholic drink of choice.
In addition to Russian Standard and Beluga Noble, Russian brands include Husky Vodka, Jewel of Russia, Moskovskaya, Polugar, Ustianochka, and Zyr Russian Vodka.
Russia: Kvass is a traditional fermented non-alcoholic beverage commonly made from rye bread, and while kvass is seen as the national non-alcoholic drink, it is vodka that most Russians identify as their national alcoholic beverage.
Let's start with the obvious one… Yes, vodka is the most appreciated strong alcohol in Russia, but there are way more interesting things to say about this drink (even if you don't drink). First of all, “Vodka” comes from the Slavic word “Voda” (water) and can be translated by “little water”.
Tea. Tea has a significant role in Russian culture. Due to the cold Northern climate, it became the most popular drink, and today is considered a national drink of Russia. Locals love to drink tea always and everywhere!
Smirnoff is named after Vladimir Smirnoff who fled from Russia during the country's revolution, but it's owned by British company Diageo (ticker: DEO) and is made in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries—but not Russia. The company, on its website, trumpets the phrase “proudly made in America” in red.
Smirnoff was mistakenly targeted for boycotts during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine; however, despite its Russian origin, the brand is owned by British company Diageo and for the US market is manufactured in Illinois.
Now owned by Diageo, Smirnoff vodka is produced around the world, including the UK and Ireland, but not in Russia.
Alcoholism has been a problem throughout the country's history because drinking is a pervasive, socially acceptable behaviour in Russian society and alcohol has also been a major source of government revenue for centuries. It has repeatedly been targeted as a major national problem, with mixed results.
In Russia, it is a tradition to drink vodka when celebrating with family or friends eating cornichons, pickled tomatoes, bread with butter and caviar, boiled potatoes with butter and dill, pickled cabbage, fresh herring with onion, and borscht with sour cream," says Russian-born mixologist Slava Borisov, head bartender ...
Made in France for a Reason
GREY GOOSE® is distilled in the gastronomy capital of the world, France, using the traditions of the Maitre de Chai. We use only two ingredients: single-origin Picardie winter wheat and natural spring water. Nothing else.
The country of Sweden and the village of Åhus are the home of Absolut Vodka. But there is another place of which vodka knows its way around: Russia.
GREY GOOSE Vodka is distilled in Picardy, France, and bottled in Cognac, France. Discover even more about the origins of Grey Goose and learn the story from crop to cork.
All ingredients in Absolut Vodka come from southern Sweden and all production takes place in or around Åhus, a small town in Skåne county where Absolut Vodka was founded. The autumn wheat that is used in the vodka is sown, grown and harvested by local farmers.
And since all vodka from Absolut is produced in Southern Sweden, our superb vodka tasted exactly the same then as it does now.
Russian beers are mainly lagers, and pale lagers are the most common. In Russia, beer is categorized by color, not by style, or the yeast that ferments it. Beer is therefore looked upon as simply light, red, semi-dark, or dark. Russians purchase beer mostly in cans and PET bottles, and less frequently in glass bottles.
Absolut Vodka is a Swedish vodka made exclusively from natural ingredients, with no added sugar and made from water and winter wheat grown in the fields of Åhus, Sweden.
Smirnoff traces its origins to the distillery established by P.A. Smirnov in Moscow in 1864.
Since this can give you a bit of a kick, Russians always have some zakuski, or snacks (including pickles, herring, boiled potatoes, and black bread) to chase the shot.
Kompot. Kompot is a drink made of slow-boiled fruits and berries that is really typical for this region. This sweet beverage can be served cold and hot and perfectly accompanies any meal.
Breakfast - The first meal
Coffee or tea is an essential drink for many Russians. Many people eat a toast with cheese and drink juice for breakfast.
Belvedere Vodka is a brand of Polish rye vodka produced and distributed by LVMH. It is named after Belweder, the Polish presidential palace in Warsaw, whose illustration appears on its bottles. It is produced in the town of Żyrardów in Poland.