Vodka is one of the Russian words that have entered most of the languages in its original form. It is due to the widespread popularity of this alcoholic beverage. Encyclopædia Britannica states that Vodka originated in Russia during the 14th century, but exact origins of vodka cannot be traced definitively.

The recipe of vodka is quite simple. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. In theory vodka can be made from any one of these fermented substances: grain, rye, wheat, potatoes, rice, or sugar beet molasses, but for the fine Russian vodka only good quality wheat or rye can be used.

Historically, this alcoholic-proof standard derives from the Russian vodka quality standards established by Tsar Alexander III in 1894. It is believed that famous Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev determined the ideal alcohol content as 38 percent; however, because in that time distilled spirits were taxed per their alcoholic strength, that percentage was rounded upwards to 40 percent for simplified taxation calculations. Nowadays overwhelming majority of the quality Russian vodkas are traditionally 40 percent proof (some higher) not like many European brands which are 37,5.

According to a legend, around 1430 a monk called Isidore from Chudov Monastery inside the Moscow Kremlin made a recipe of the first Russian vodka. Having a special knowledge and distillation devices he became an author of the new type of alcoholic beverage of a new, higher quality. This "bread wine" as it was initially known, was produced for a long time exclusively in the Grand Duchy of Moscow and in no other principality of Rus' .

The Russians usually drink vodka during celebrations or as an appetizer. It should be ideally consumed ice cold out of a freezer. In the traditional Russian way it is drank neat with small shots and chased immediately by snacks such as pickled vegetables or sauerkraut. Traditionally the Russians strongly disapproved those who drink vodka without properly eating, as this way one gets quickly drunk and out of self control. Vodka also perceived as a social drink, so should be drunk with friends but not on your own. Nowadays there are hundreds of vodka brands in Russia and the state imposes quite strict quality control on the vodka production.