Russian vodka has garnered a legendary status around the world, developing its own mythology and attracting countless urban legends. Here are six of the most popular myths related to the drink.
Myth 1: Russian vodka was invented by Dmitry Mendeleev, creator of the periodic table
Wrong. Dmitry Mendeleev is often credited with standardizing vodka’s 40% strength, based on his PHD paper “A Discourse on the Combination of Alcohol and Water.” However, Ethanol, on which vodka is based, was originally synthesized by Arabian scholars in the 11th century. They, however, only used it for medicinal purposes due to their religious beliefs. The original vodka, known back than as ‘aqua vitae’ (“water of life”) was brought to Russia in the 14th century, and presented to the Muscovite Prince Dmitry Donskoy in 1386 by an envoy from Genoa.
Myth 2: Vodka is the least harmful of all alcoholic spirits
Wrong. Drinks based on rectified alcohol (such as ethanol) are much more addictive and toxic than distilled alcoholic beverages such as whisky.
Myth 3: Vodka is purified with milk
Wrong. While a popular sales pitch, it is completely off the mark. Ethanol is already pure to begin with and needs no further purification, and methanol can only be purified by using coal.
Myth 4: Vodka can be used as a cold cure (more…)