Today (Friday, Oct. 4) marks the 15th anniversary of National Vodka Day: an unofficial celebration of a classic neutral spirit that has both healed and intoxicated its imbibers globally for centuries.
Vodka consumption reportedly eclipsed bourbon’s domination of the American spirit market in the 1970s; while some claim vodka was introduced to Eastern Europe sometime in the 12th century, others assert it was produced by monks as early as the 9th century. This workhorse spirit is the backbone of many cocktails like the Moscow Mule, the vodka Gimlet, the Bloody Mary, and any number of classic martini variations. Similar to many other spirits classes, vodka was initially used for medicinal purposes but later became the beverage of leisure we know today.
On the heels of National Vodka Day, one brand is stepping up its efforts to shine a light on New Zealand’s unique imprint in the global vodka market. For those who enjoy craft spirits over their mass-produced counterparts, Wanaka-based Broken Shed Vodka offers its drinkers a taste of the nation’s unique take on a centuries-old tradition. Founded in 2009, Broken Shed is the brainchild of its founder and master blender Mark Simmonds, who conceived the idea with a friend during an adventure in the mountains near Lake Hawea. The brand has become the fastest-growing vodka brand in the United States and prides itself on its sustainable distillation process and three-ingredient recipe, which results in a product free of additives, GMOs, and sweeteners.
“We ignored the traditions of what vodka should be, and decided that vodka only needs three ingredients, and two of them should be water,” boasts the company’s website. Broken Shed’s triple distillation process combines water sourced from both New Zealand’s North and South Islands and naturally occurring whey, which gives the product its crisp character and smooth finish.
If you prefer your vodka in a cocktail rather than its purest form, look no further than San Mateo, Calif.-based non-alcoholic beverage brand Fresh Victor to deliver bold, preservative-free, and creative cold-pressed fruit flavors to elevate your drinks. With flavors that include lemon sour, cactus pear and pomegranate, and grapefruit and sea salt, Fresh Victor’s nine varieties also mix flawlessly with beverages like sparkling water for refreshing mocktails. Fresh Victor makes preparing fresh and consistently delicious drinks a more efficient process. And, those needing inspiration can tap the brand’s carefully curated recipe library, which includes vodka and other spirit-based concoctions.
So, as Friday comes to a close, grab a friend and a glass and cheer the work week’s end with some vodka to celebrate its storied past and bright future — and always drink responsibly.
