Posted on 10/28/2021 4:22:26 PM PDT by nickcarraway
There are many etymological instances of alcohol coming to be known as the “water of life.” The word “whiskey” stems from the Gaelic version of this very term; same story for “aquavit.” And so it should come as no surprise that the name “vodka” is an evolution of the Russian word for water, or вода, which is pronounced “vo-da.”
Like the colorful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral and lines of matryoshka dolls, the mind quickly wanders to Mother Russia following any mention of vodka. But how many of our modern-day associations with the spirit — like say, in the Moscow Mule cocktail, or pairing with caviar — are as authentically Russian?
To answer this question, VinePair tapped Bek Narzi. Born in Soviet-era Russia, Narzi now resides in London where he co-owns and runs the Pachamama restaurant group. Yet his experience behind the bar and influence on Russian cocktail culture is considerable.
During the early 2000s, Narzi hosted the Prime Time Cocktail show on the national Russian channel RT, with the segment airing at the very on-brand time of 7:45 p.m. on Friday evenings. Narzi is also a published author with two books focusing on the hospitality industry. And under his helm in 2011, the City Space Bar in Moscow’s Swissotel clinched a spot among the World’s Top 50 Bars.
Suffice to say, Narzi is ideally placed to advise on how to drink vodka in a traditional Russian manner. Read on to discover his sage advice.
HOW TO DRINK VODKA NEAT
Though vodka has found a home in countless well-known cocktails, for an authentically Russian experience, Narzi says vodka must be drunk neat and as a shot. And when enjoying in this manner, there is but one hard and fast rule: Food must always accompany the alcohol.
“If you’re drinking good vodka and in good company, it can be very dangerous,” Narzi says. “You don’t feel how much you’re drinking, then you pay for it the next morning.
Traditionally, food arrives in the form of zakuski, Russia’s answer to tapas or mezze. Popular dishes include plates of pickles; roasted or boiled meats, such as ox tongue; horseradish; salads; and, of course, soup — whether borscht (beetroot) or shchi (cabbage). More substantial offerings, from dumplings and meat patties to stews with potatoes, then follow.
With its largely flavorless and odorless profile, there’s no danger of vodka competing with such a wide array of pairing partners. Being cheap and abundant, caviar would once have featured during such occasions, too, though this is no longer the case. “Now it’s become luxurious,” Narzi says. “Russian people eat caviar and chase it with vodka only on New Year’s Eve.”
HOW TO TOAST WITH VODKA IN RUSSIAN
During get-togethers, diners don’t typically drink shots of vodka at their own leisure because it’s seen as “cheap” to drink without toasting, or without having a reason to do so, Narzi explains. Neither is the toast a simple “cheers,” or the Russian equivalent. “Na zdorovie is bullshit,” Narzi says. “No one in Russia says it.”
Instead, each shot follows a more specific toast. To the host, for example, to the women around the table, someone’s new job, or to health and prosperity in general. A dedicated toastmaster typically leads this aspect of the experience. “Someone charismatic who knows aphorisms, and will keep the crowd interested,” Narzi says of the ideal candidate. “It’s all about rituals.”
In preparation for special occasions like weddings, where there will be many opportunities to toast, Narzi recommends always eating something substantial but not overly filling before the event, like a medium-sized steak. “Do not start this vodka journey on a hungry stomach,” he says.
VODKA SERVING SIZE AND TEMPERATURE
While a standard shot glass holds 2 ounces in the United States and 50 milliliters in countries where metric measurements are preferred, Narzi warns against a pour this large when drinking vodka. “You need to serve it in smaller shots to extend the pleasure,” he says, recommending 25-milliliter pours (roughly 1 ounce).
Contrary to popular belief, plucking a bottle straight from the freezer isn’t the best for serving temperature, nor is it traditional. Many Russians are afraid to freeze their vodka as it can solidify some of the impurities that “dishonest” vodka brands put into their spirits, Narzi explains. And rather than going down smoother, shooting freezer-cold vodka can actually burn the throat. So Narzi opts to instead keep bottles chilled in a fridge.
The Moscow Mule was devised in the United States by Smirnoff and a California bar owner with an excess of ginger beer to offload.
VODKA COCKTAILS
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying vodka in cocktails but this isn’t an authentically Russian means of enjoying the spirit, Narzi reiterates.
In fact, many of the cocktails that appear to have strong Russian ties are nothing more than marketing gimmicks. The Moscow Mule, for instance, was devised in the United States by Smirnoff and a California bar owner with an excess of ginger beer to offload. As for the coffee-liqueur-laden White Russian: more fiction. “Russians have a tea culture,” Narzi explains. “Coffee culture only came with Starbucks.”
Narzi also adds that, among the current wave of top bartending talent in Russia, there remains a reluctance to use vodka in cocktails. It’s old school, and seen as something of a Soviet-era mom-and-dad drink.
“The traditional way is very simple: You sit. There’s Zakuski. And there has to be a reason to drink vodka,” Narzi says. Of course, those reasons — those celebrations — don’t need to be overly substantial. “They used to sell special calendars with 365 reasons to drink vodka,” Narzi adds, with a hearty laugh.
Equal measures of Mountain Dew soda, grapefruit juice, and 100 proof vodka.
Mix by stirring in a glass pitcher, and serve over ice in glass tumblers.
Best with straws. (Tiny umbrellas optional).
Ah yes. The Hillary Clinton method.
I have always had an interest in archery. When I was in Mongolia my guide told me he knew of a former communist bureaucrat who made bows. The bow maker invited me in, out came the vodka. First shot went over his shoulder to the fire place to appease the gods and for good luck. 6 shots later I was convinced I needed to buy a bow for $200. Still have it. anyone interested?
I like Stolichnaya but Smirnoff will suffice as it is distilled three times and filtered 10 times. For something special, Stolichnaya Blueberry flavored is delish.
At the wonderful Russian Renaissance restaurant in San Francisco, the bartender kept vodka in a small freezer behind the bar. We drank it straight. The Russian bartended also had a bottle flavored with some kind of green grass, which he added to the bottle —this version tasted even better. I wish I could remember the name of the grass. The Russian deli had it. I don’t thing we have a Russian deli here.
I buy one bottle of vodka every summer for vodka-tonic drinks. I buy Smirnoff’s Vanilla Vodka, nice flavor. One summer, I forgot I had the bottle in the fridge. This year, bottle is still half-empty.. Maybe I’ll have some tonight.
In terms of what I drink “neat”: dark rum, brandy and Amaro.
I use vodka to make homemade gin.
a shot was always 1oz and a jigger was 1 1/2oz, guess inflation
Zakuska and a couple of shots sound good right now. Years ago I had some friends in the Russian Orthodox Church and got to know some old-country Russians and ate and drank with them on occassion. I miss that.
Belvedere.
My Russian friends prefer whiskey and even beer to vodka. Vodka is considered a bit low brow I guess. I don’t mind it myself. haha.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere
1988 - bought a couple of 1/5ths of Stoly in a Russian store in East Berlin for the equivalent of $.50 a bottle.
Tasted fine to me :)
Now the fake Russian Marlboro cigarettes ...
😟
As concerns stuff available in the states, I never could tell one vodka from another.
Pickles.
Boiled meat? No thanks Comrade.
Yup, still got the one for my 64 Chevy, same bottle and amazingly the original label
which is a little yellowed with age but still intact with the old GM trademark.
“Na zdorovie is bullshit,” Narzi says. “No one in Russia says it.”
~~~
funny.
First time I ever heard that was watching Deer Hunter. Of course since I don’t know russian but have a rudimentary recognition of latin roots, I always thought it was Nostrovia, or remedy for life. I knew they weren’t speaking latin but figured it for some derivative.
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