Distilling of Vodka

Vodka can be found in almost every self-respecting bar and restaurant across the globe. It has become a worldwide sensation that is used very frequently in a myriad of beverages. The major benefit garnered from using vodka is its lack of taste and odor. Vodka is a neutral spirit and this makes it a great choice if you want to mix in other flavors or drinks. Vodka is usually used in cocktails like the Bloody Mary or the Vodka Tonic, which are absolutely delicious and famous around the world. The origins of vodka production can be traced back to the fourteenth century in both Russia and Poland. Although, both countries lay claim to the creation of this sprit it is usually attributed to Russia.

The First Steps of Production

As with other alcoholic beverages the process of making vodka begins with grains. These grains are first broken down so that their starches are converted into sugars. Once this is achieved the mixture is sterilized by being boiled and then injected with a lactic acid bacteria. This bacteria creates the ideal conditions for fermentation which is probably the most important step. Fermentation makes use of yeast to convert the sugars into ethanol, or alcohol. This process usually takes a couple of days.

The Distillation Process

After fermentation the next step is distillation and this step is crucial for ensuring a high quality alcoholic beverage. The purpose of distillation is to increase the alcohol content of the vodka by extracting more spirit out of the fermented mixture. However, the process also removes any impurities in the final product and this is very important. Distillation basically involves the repetitive heating and cooling of the liquid. The liquid is heated to its boiling point and then allowed to cool and condense; the condensed liquid is then collected and heated again so that the process is repeated. Finally, the condensed liquid is separated and this becomes the final version of vodka. The impurities are all left behind and what results is a strongly alcoholic beverage.

Usually water is mixed into the vodka after the distillation process to make it slightly less alcoholic. After this, the vodka is ready to be packaged and sold. As you can see, the process is quite lengthy and there are certainly a lot of things to get right. However, the end result is definitely worth the hard work as the vodka produced is delicious and really goes to your head as fast as possible.