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5 things you didn't know about vodka...

02 February, 2012 07:04:00 Rebecca Dodd

Photo ©: Gresei - Fotolia.com

...plus a rocking cocktail recipe! Did you know that most vodka isn't even made in Russia? Read on...

Thankfully, I've come a long way since my student days, when drinking Russian Bear was acceptable. So I was really excited to try out a premium vodka in the form of Russian Standard, when I was lucky enough to be sent a bottle for sampling purposes. Doing a little research on the subject has led me to discover five things I never knew about the spirit:

1. Most vodka isn't even made in Russia

In fact, pretty much everything we and the Russians drink is imported from somewhere else, like the US. Russian Standard is the only vodka in South Africa that's imported from its homeland.

2. Good vodka is not, in fact, made from potatoes

Was I the only one who thought this? Anyway, apparently the best vodka is made from wheat. Good to know.

3. Vodka was originally made for medicinal purposes

To this day, Russians still drink vodka for its medicinal properties. No wonder it makes us feel better!

4. It's also the best drink to avoid a hangover

While too much of any drink will definitely give you a hangover, experts say that clear drinks like vodka have lower levels of harmful impurities from the fermentation process. This makes it a better option than whiskey, port or brandy, which can linger in your system for up to 24 hours.

5. It's good for more than just drinking!

You can use vodka as a disinfectant, to remove odour from clothes, to keep flowers fresh, give your hair more body and lots more! Find out more surprising uses for vodka here. Note: don't waste your Russian Standard on household chores though - this stuff is most definitely for drinking!

Now that you're clued up on vodka, you've earned a drink. Try this yummy cocktail:

The Fountain of Youth

50ml Russian Standard
60ml Pomegranate juice, fresh squeezed where available
20g thinly sliced ginger

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, double strain and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a piece of ginger, pass a mint leaf around the glass rim.

The pomegranate in the cocktail is said to give a long and healthy life, and the fruit has long been a symbol of fertility - making this the perfect Valentine's date drink. I can, however, recommend a little Russian Standard mixed with orange juice for a very classy Screwdriver. If you've never found vodka to be particularly palatable, do give this one a try - it may just change your mind.

For more information (and more cocktail recipes) visit www.russianstandardvodka.com.

Don't let a little too much vodka leave you feeling invincible though - make sure you read this before you over-indulge.

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Author info: Rebecca Dodd

All4Women's assistant editor and fashion editor Rebecca Dodd completed her undergraduate degree in Print Journalism and her Honours in English Studies at UCT. She has worked as a writer and copy editor for a publishing house and a PR agency, but is now lucky to dedicate all her time to her passion – writing for women and for the web. In her spare time she reads (books and blogs), cooks, watches vacuous teen dramas and eats ice cream straight from the tub. Follow her on Twitter @Reberoodle or email her on rebecca@all4women.co.za

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