Why Are There so Many Fakes about Vodka
Vodka is a hard liquor glorified by the 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 dedicated to unveiling the myths about vodka.
Where Do the Myths about Vodka Come from?
There are numerous talks about vodka. Some say that it heals both body and soul. Others consider it to be a source of mental and physical issues. Some people attribute unbelievable physical qualities to vodka drinks, and others think that these qualities are hyperbolized and fully fictional. Alcohol myths have a certain basis. Deciding on which of them has a true basis and which are complete fakes is crucial.
The main sources of truth and myths about vodka are those that provide information among people, namely the following:
– cultural references to vodka drinks: from ancient chronicles or literary works like Kotlyarevsky’s “Aeneid” to folklore and pop songs.
– the movie industry also contributes to the creation and dispersion 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 contribute to the development of the brand’s image. For example, thanks to its ads, the brand Nemiroff consistently holds the palm of the spot in the global market, and it remains a staple Ukrainian alcoholic drink.
– Social media and its trends are also powerful myth-makers today.
All this information contributes to the development of fakes about vodka.
Which Historical and Cultural Stereotypes Impacted the Drink’s Reputation
Stereotypical thinking connects people. As for vodka, stereotypes about it have been changing with time, along with the changes in the cultural context. For example, previously, 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 Prohibition period, vodka was at a high value. It was an unofficial asset that helped to gain various profits in the ‘black market’. With the advent of spirits from other regions 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 distilling traditions in our country.
Marketing and Media Impact on the Creation of Popular Alcohol Myths
A successful or unsuccessful marketing strategy is one more factor in the popular vodka myths creation. Some vodka brands get to the top with its help, and their beverages acquire mythic qualities, for example, healing features (vodka helps to warm up during catching cold or helps to fight the sadness), or sociocultural features (vodka as a drink that unites friends), or even status features (premium hard liquors as the best gifts). Others can get reputation losses due to unsuccessful marketing. Besides, with the help of celebs advertising vodka, certain brands received strong associations with their ambassadors. 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 unveiling the myths about vodka will help to find the grain of truth.
The Myth #1 – Vodka Has No Flavor
One of the main vodka myths is that it is flavorless. After the distilling process, through thorough alcohol purification, the drink gains a mostly neutral flavoring profile, but it still has a flavor. Typically, the type of grain used for the distillate, and its quality, the quality of water and additional ingredients form the unique formula of each manufacturer’s drinks and impact the flavor. You can ensure this by overlooking Nemiroff products, where vodka drinks with various flavor profiles are available.
The Myth #2 – Drinking Vodka Provides No Hangover
One of the most popular alcohol myths gives vodka the miraculous property of not causing a hangover. This is not completely true. A hangover occurs because of toxic substances, aldehydes, acetone, and tannins. Vodka contains fewer of these toxins than whisky or wine, for example. However, the most effective protection from a hangover is not the choice of the drink but its conscious consumption. If you overdrink, the consequences for your well-being will be sad.
The Myth #3 – Vodka Doesn’t Freeze
One more fake about vodka is that it doesn’t freeze at all. Some people even decide to check the hard liquor using this fact. They freeze it in the freezer and believe that if it is frozen, it is falsified. Vodka has two basic components, ethyl alcohol and water. While water freezes at 32°F and below, ethyl alcohol freezes at -173°F. Considering the ratio of alcohol to water, a 40% drink won’t freeze as quickly as water, but it still needs -15°F to crystallize. Your freezer typically doesn’t have this temperature, as it is usually maintained at +14°F to -1°F, 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 benefits have a long history. We should agree that alcohol has antiseptic properties, but it surely cannot defeat viruses or kill bacteria. That’s why it cannot help with cold treatment in any way.
The Myth #5 – The More Costly Vodka Is, the Less Harm It Brings to the Body
Vodka’s harmful impact is measured not so much by how much the product costs, but by its conscious consumption. However, there is still a grain of truth in one of the main vodka myths. Manufacturers that create a high-quality premium product are strict about its quality. They select the best ingredients and invest in new 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. Moreover, excess drinking negatively impacts immunity as well as mental health because alcohol is a serotonin and dopamine suppressant. Vodka can lead to poor concentration, and its overuse negatively impacts cognitive functions and memory.
Let’s Sum up
Although vodka is a staple Ukrainian hard liquor, it has become overgrown with many myths, and some of them are completely fake and harmful. The unveiling of myths about vodka in this article may 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 hard drink you choose should please you with its flavors, be of high quality, and its consumption should be moderate and conscious. We welcome you to choose Nemiroff products, which have a flawless blend of all these properties for a pleasant and safe consumption.
