Vodka has been distilled for over 500 years, and people are still arguing about who made it first. Poland and Russia have been trading that claim since at least the 8th century, and neither side is backing down. What’s not in dispute is this: vodka went from a rough medicinal grain spirit to the world’s best-selling category of distilled alcohol, and its journey touched every continent along the way, including ours.
New Zealand came late to the vodka story, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Arriving late means learning from everyone who came before. And what some NZ producers are doing now with local water and locally grown ingredients is genuinely interesting, not just as a curiosity, but as a serious contribution to how vodka is made.
The Origins of Vodka: Russia, Poland, and a Very Old Argument
The word “vodka” comes from the Slavic “voda,” meaning water. Simple enough. The earliest documented references to vodka production in Russia date to the late 9th century, though the spirit would have been barely recognisable by today’s standards. Think closer to a rough grain ferment than anything you’d serve with tonic. Polish records from the 8th century mention distilled grain spirits too, and the debate over who deserves credit has fuelled centuries of national pride on both sides.
What both countries agree on is that early vodka served a practical purpose. It was used medicinally, as a preservative, and for trade. Peasants drank it. Tsars taxed it heavily. By the 17th century, the Russian state had essentially turned vodka production into a government monopoly, which tells you everything about how central it was to the economy. Stolichnaya, one of the most recognised names in the category, traces its roots to Russian imperial distilling traditions that date back to that era.
The real shift came in the 19th century, when continuous column distillation allowed for a much purer, cleaner spirit. Vodka stopped tasting like the grain it came from and started tasting like, well, vodka. That neutrality became the defining characteristic of the modern style.
Vodka Goes Global: Scandinavia, France, and the Cocktail Era
After the Russian Revolution in 1917, many distillers fled west. Some ended up in Poland, some in France, some further afield. Their knowledge spread with them, and vodka production began appearing across Europe in new forms. Scandinavia had its own distilling traditions, particularly around potato and grain spirits, and countries like Finland developed their own clean, frost-cold style. Finlandia is a direct product of that Finnish tradition, made from six-row barley and glacial spring water, and it remains one of the most consistent expressions of the Nordic approach.
Then came France. Grey Goose Vodka launched in 1997 and effectively invented the “luxury vodka” category. Made in the Cognac region from French wheat and spring water, it was positioned alongside fine wine and champagne rather than party spirits. Whether or not you think a neutral spirit can truly justify a premium price, there’s no denying it changed the market permanently. The premium vodka shelf exists because of what Grey Goose started.
The cocktail era accelerated everything. Once bartenders in New York and London realised vodka could carry flavour without fighting it, the Moscow Mule, the Cosmopolitan, and the Vodka Martini became cultural shorthand for sophistication. Absolut Vodka, launched from Sweden in 1979 with its iconic apothecary bottle, became the brand that bridged both worlds. If you want to see where flavoured vodka fits into that story, Absolut Citron is the original, released in 1988 and still the benchmark. The Absolut Flavours range extended that thinking further, and Absolut Haring Ltd Edition brought in fine art collaboration, something few spirit brands have pulled off with genuine credibility. Browse the full gin and spirits range at Liquor Club if you want to see how far the category has stretched.
New Zealand Vodka: Local Water, Serious Intent
New Zealand’s craft spirits scene is young but not timid. The country’s water quality is arguably its greatest distilling asset, soft, clean, low in minerals, and it shows up clearly in the finished spirit. Broken Shed Vodka is probably the most well-known NZ example internationally. It’s made in Wanaka using water sourced from two different natural springs, whey spirit and grain spirit blended together. That whey base gives it a slightly rounded, creamy texture that separates it from the drier European styles. It’s exported to the United States and has won real attention there.
Then there’s Big Kiwi Vodka, which does exactly what it says on the label. Proudly local, built on NZ-grown ingredients, it represents the more straightforward end of the local market. And for those who want something accessible without sacrificing drinkability, Barska Red 37.5% Vodka sits at a slightly lower ABV, which makes it worth knowing about if you’re building cocktails where balance matters more than strength.
New Zealand winters are long enough to appreciate a well-made spirit. There’s something fitting about a cold Otago evening and a glass of something distilled from the same landscape you’re standing in. If you’re new to exploring spirits more broadly, our Beginner’s Guide to Whisky in New Zealand covers similar ground for another category worth understanding.
Key Takeaways
- Vodka has been produced for over 500 years, with Russia and Poland both claiming its origins from grain and potato distillation traditions.
- Column distillation in the 19th century created the clean, neutral style that defines modern vodka.
- Scandinavian producers like Finlandia brought a distinctly Nordic character to the category, while Grey Goose established the premium vodka market in the late 1990s.
- Absolut and its extended range, including Absolut Citron and Absolut Flavours, helped drive flavoured vodka into mainstream cocktail culture.
- New Zealand producers like Broken Shed Vodka are using local water and whey-based spirits to create styles that stand apart from European traditions.
- Winter is a genuinely good time to explore vodka, whether in a warming cocktail or sipped simply with quality mixers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was vodka originally invented?
Both Russia and Poland claim the title, and both have historical records to support their case. Russian references go back to the 9th century, Polish to the 8th. Most historians treat it as a parallel development across the Slavic region rather than a single point of invention. Either way, the early spirit was very different from what we drink today.
What is vodka actually made from?
Vodka can be distilled from almost any fermentable material: wheat, rye, barley, corn, potato, grape, and even whey. The base ingredient influences texture and a subtle flavour character, even in a highly distilled spirit. Rye tends to produce a slightly spicier, drier result. Wheat is often softer and slightly sweet. Potato vodkas can feel fuller and creamier on the palate.
Is New Zealand vodka worth trying?
Yes, and not just for novelty. Broken Shed Vodka in particular has earned recognition in competitive international markets. The quality of New Zealand water and the seriousness of local distillers means NZ vodka competes genuinely with established European brands, not just as a local curiosity. If you’re curious about the broader craft spirits scene here, the same spirit of experimentation shows up in New Zealand gin as well.
What’s the difference between cheap vodka and premium vodka?
Distillation quality, filtration, base ingredients, and water source all play a role. Multiple distillations and careful filtration remove more congeners, the chemical byproducts of fermentation that can cause harshness. But “more distillation” doesn’t automatically mean better. Some premium producers argue that over-filtering strips character. The honest answer is that beyond a certain point, you’re paying for provenance and production story as much as anything measurable in the glass.
Liquor Club stocks New Zealands finest wines, spirits and cocktail ingredients. Browse our full range and enjoy quick delivery. Shop online at https://liquorclub.co.nz or call 09 5900300.
