The question of who invented vodka is about as contentious as a Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, Russians, Poles, and a few other Iron-Curtain dwellers all claiming the prestige.
I personally don’t have the time or the effort to pipe into the who invented vodka debate, but I will pipe in that to me at least, poles make the best vodka. But, even if you as a country are the best at something, there still needs to be the best of the best, and by far the best vodka in Poland is Zubrowka.
Zubrowka is the famous “grass vodka”, or to give its more famous one, Bidon Grass Vodka. Why is it called bison grass vodka? You ask a very good question.
Zubrawka vodka is prepared like normal vodka, but with the extra ingredient of grass and a specific grass that grows in the Biowalieza Forrest, a forest famous for being full of bison.
This grass not only gifts the vodka an extremely unique herbal taste but makes it very much unlike “normal vodka”, which should be flavorless. We are ignoring the culinary abortion that is flavoured absolute here!
Vodka in general in Poland should not be mixed and is drunk straight (and that includes cocktails).
One exception with Żubrówka is to mix it with apple juice or rather apple vinegar at a ratio of 1-2 or even 1-1. An honestly stunning drink. And it is, without doubt, one of the most popular drinks not just in Poland, but a major export, and souvenir for visitors. This in my mind makes Żubrówka stand out as the best Polish vodka. But in case you really like vodka (like me), here are a few others that at least deserve an honorable mention.
Sobieski is a vodka named after Polish the fearless king Jan III Sobieski. Apparently, he was big and scary. As for the vodka it is made from the finest rye, and crystalline water. It is extremely pure, and with a fine flavour more associated with classic (Russian?) vodka.
Sobieski is a vodka named after Polish the fearless king Jan III Sobieski. Apparently, he was big and scary. As for the vodka it is made from the finest rye, and crystalline water. It is extremely pure, and with a fine flavour more associated with classic (Russian?) vodka.
Dębowa Vodka, which means the oak spirit is another one of the more funky blends, with flavors such as vanilla, pepper, and an overall spiciness making it feel almost more like a Rakia.
So, that is the Street Food Guy’s take on the best Polish Vodka! Do you agree about my vodka tastes?