Why Are There So Many Fictions About Vodka
Vodka is a hard liquor glorified by world culture. It is a true symbol of spirits, and its old Ukrainian name ‘okovyta’ refers to the Latin “aqua vita”, which means the elixir of life. The significance of vodka in culture has given rise to many fictions, with myths about vodka existing both ancient and quite modern. That’s why the topic of this article is devoted to debunking the myths about vodka.
Where Do the Myths about Vodka Come from?
There are numerous talks about vodka. Some say that it cures both body and soul. Others consider it to be a source of mental and physical issues. Some people attribute extraordinary physical qualities to vodka drinks, and others think that these qualities are exaggerated and fully fictional. Alcohol myths have a particular basis. It is necessary to distinguish which of them has a true basis and which are complete fabrications.
General sources of truth and myths about vodka are those that disseminate information among people, particularly the following:
– cultural references to vodka beverages: from ancient chronicles or literary works like Kotlyarevsky’s “Aeneid” to folklore and pop songs.
– the cinema industry also contributes to the creation and dissemination of popular alcohol myths. These are just some of the famous vodka-based cocktails from the James Bond cinematic franchise that raised the drink to a new popularity level.
– modern advertising campaigns help to develop the brand’s image. For instance, thanks to its ads, the brand Nemiroff firmly holds the lead in the world market and is almost a symbol of Ukrainian alcoholic beverages.
– social media and its trends are also powerful myth-makers of modernity.
All this information contributes to the development of fabrications about vodka.
How Historical and Cultural Stereotypes Influenced the Drink’s Reputation
Stereotypical thinking unites people into groups. As for vodka, stereotypes about it have been changing with time, along with the changes in the cultural context. As an example, earlier people believed that vodka was invented by the chemist Mendeleev, but what did people drink in taverns before that? During the Soviet Union times, especially during the Dry Law, vodka was at a high value. It was an unofficial asset that helped to gain different benefits on the ‘black market’. With the spread of spirits from other countries on store shelves at the end of the 20th century, vodka lost some popularity, only to return to the present day as a Ukrainian signature drink that worthily presents the traditions of distilling in our country.
The Impact of Marketing and Media on the Formation of Popular Alcohol Myths
A successful or unsuccessful marketing strategy is one more factor in the popular vodka myths development. Some vodka brands have used it to get to the top with its help, and their drinks have acquired mythical properties, such as medicinal (vodka helps to warm up during catching cold or helps to overcome the sadness), or sociocultural (vodka as a drink that unites friends), or even status (premium beverages as the best present). Others have suffered reputational losses due to unsuccessful marketing. Besides, through the help of media personalities advertising vodka, certain brands received strong associations with the advertising faces. For example, such Hollywood celebrities as Kate Hudson or Channing Tatum are the ambassadors of vodka brands.
The images created by culture and marketologists are not 100% veracious, that’s why debunking the myths about vodka will help to find the grain of truth.
The Myth #1 – Vodka Has No Flavor
One of the general vodka myths is the statement that it has no flavour. After the distilling process, through thorough alcohol purification, the beverage gains a mostly neutral flavouring profile, but it still has a flavour. In particular, the type of grain which is the basis for the distillate, and its quality, the quality of water, and additional ingredients that form the unique formula of each producer’s drinks, impact the flavour. You can prove it by regarding the Nemiroff products line, where vodka drinks with various flavour profiles are available.
The Myth #2 – There Is No Withdrawal After Drinking Vodka
One of the most popular alcohol myths gives vodka the miraculous property of not causing a hangover. In fact, this is not entirely true. A hangover occurs due to the presence of toxic substances, in particular, aldehydes, acetone, and tannins. Vodka contains fewer of these toxins than whisky or wine, for example. However, the main protection from a hangover is not the choice of the drink but the moderation in its use. If you drink too much, the consequences for your well-being will be unpleasant.
The Myth #3 – Vodka Doesn’t Freeze
One more fabrication about vodka is that it doesn’t freeze. Some people even decide to check the hard liquor using this fact. They freeze it in the freezing chamber and decide that if it is frozen, it is falsified. Vodka has two basic components, ethyl alcohol and water. While water freezes at 0 °C and below, ethyl alcohol freezes at -114 °C. Due to the ratio of alcohol to water, a 40-degree drink will not freeze as quickly as water, but it will still need -26 °C to crystallize. Your freezing chamber may not have this temperature, as it is usually maintained at -12 to -18 degrees, and vodka does not reach the freezing point in it.
The Myth #4 – Vodka Is a Disinfectant, and It Helps Treat a Cold
Vodka myths about its health advantages date back a long ago. We should agree that alcohol has antiseptic properties, but it definitely cannot destroy viruses or kill bacteria. That’s why it cannot help with cold treatment in any way.
The Myth #5 – The More Expensive Vodka Is, The Less Harm It Brings to the Body
The harm of vodka is measured not so much by the price of the product, but by its conscious consumption. However, there is still a grain of truth in one of the main vodka myths. Producers who create a high-quality premium product are strict about its quality. They select the best components and invest in new production technologies, which increases the cost of the product. Nevertheless, the price is not a guarantee that the vodka will taste good to you or will not cause a hangover.
Vodka and Well-Being: Myths and Truth
Myths and the reality about vodka and health diverge. Vodka cannot heal you; on the contrary, excess drinking negatively impacts immunity as well as mental health because alcohol is a serotonin and dopamine suppressant. Vodka can decrease concentration, and its overuse negatively impacts cognitive functions and memory.
Let’s Sum up
Although vodka is a traditional Ukrainian hard liquor, it has become overgrown with many myths, and some of them are completely false and harmful. The debunking of myths about vodka, which is presented in this article, is intended to help you better understand what you should and should not expect from this drink. So, let’s summarize them:
– Vodka is not a remedy.
– It does not cause a hangover, only with conscious consumption.
– It is not a magic pile that does not freeze, and it cannot defeat microbes. It is affected by the general laws of physics.
– More expensive vodka is not always better than cheaper, although it is still better to select drinks from a manufacturer that meets high-quality standards.
The truth and myths about vodka diverge. The main thing is that the alcoholic beverage you choose should please you with its flavours, be of high quality, and its consumption should be moderate and conscious. We propose that you choose Nemiroff products, which have the perfect combination of all these factors for a pleasant and safe consumption of strong alcohol.
