What is Vodka made from?

Vodka is distilled from a fermented product, most commonly grains like wheat or rye, but also potatoes, sugar beets, grapes, or other starchy or sugary raw materials. Even though vodka is often known for its neutral flavor, the source ingredient will subtly impact the mouthfeel and taste. For example, vodka made from potatoes is considered quite nutty and earthy compared to fruit-based vodkas.

Unsurprisingly, the quality of the water used affects the finished taste of the spirit. Water makes up most of the composition – around 60% – so even subtle variations to minerality can have an impact on the taste.

Finally, some producers also include additives to their vodkas, such as sugars, glycerin or citric acid.

In every sip of vodka lies a fascinating story of carefully chosen ingredients and precise production methods, ready for discovery. In this guide, you’ll learn about what vodka is made from, and how these factors contribute to the unique flavors and characteristics of this iconic spirit.

Jump to:

• How Vodka is Made (Step-by-Step)
• What is Vodka Distilled From? Common Ingredients
• What is Absolut Vodka Made From?
• Why Base Ingredients Matter in Vodka
• Watch the Vodka Process in Action
• Final Thoughts – What Distillation Means for Vodka Quality

How Vodka is Made (Step-by-Step)

To really appreciate what goes into making vodka, it’s a good idea to understand the production process from first fermentation to store-ready bottle.

Step 1 – Fermentation: From Potatoes to Mash

The base ingredient provides the source of sugar, which is fermented into alcohol. Potato is perhaps the best-known of these, but the main raw ingredients for vodka are actually a blend of cereal grains like wheat, sorghum, or rye. This means there are many different types of vodka, depending on this initial fermented ingredient.

There are two steps in this phase of the vodka production process – saccharification and fermentation. Here’s how they work:

Saccharification

1. The base ingredients (usually potatoes and grains) are mixed with hot water to create a mash.
2. Enzymes are added to the mash. These are often extracted from malt grains like barley.
3. These enzymes then break down the complex starch molecules into fermentable sugars.

Fermentation

1. Next, yeast is added to the mash.
2. The yeast sets to work consuming the sugars, which is the basic process of anaerobic fermentation.
3. During this process, the yeast metabolizes the sugar, which produces ethanol (alcohol).

Step 2 – Vodka Distillation – Purity Through Process

Next, it’s time to purify the fermented liquid. Vodka distillation is the process of separating – or ‘washing’ – to produce purified vodka. The distillation process is also part of the process that determines how high the alcohol content will be.

1. The liquid (or ‘wash’) is heated so the alcohol vaporizes.
2. The wash cools and turns back into a liquid.
3. The vapor condenses and is separated from the original liquid.
4. This results in a purer spirit with a higher alcohol content – as the boiling process has essentially separated impurities like methanol from the clean spirit.

At Absolut, we distill our vodka continuously to ensure the best quality spirit. This method was adopted in Sweden by Absolut founder L.O. Smith. This method distills the spirit an infinite number of times, rather than the standard three or four.

By law, vodkas must be a certain strength after distillation. In the US, this is 96%. In the EU it is 95%

Step 3 – Vodka filtration – Fine-Tuning Flavor

Some producers favor vodka filtration as a final step in the production process. It can have a significant impact on clarity and flavor. To eliminate and absorb impurities, vodka is filtered through materials like activated charcoal, though some producers choose alternatives such as quartz or sand.

The materials used affect how much is absorbed, which, in turn, affects taste, smell, and clarity. Every manufacturer has a different filtration method, which results in different flavor profiles and mouthfeels across different brands.

Filtration methods have changed over vodka’s history, but charcoal filtration was one of the first techniques used in 18^th century Russia. Carbon filtration was introduced slightly later, creating the first double-purified vodkas. These methods are still in use today, albeit in a much more refined form – but experimentation is constantly underway to elevate the vodka distillation process and create an ever-purer vodka.

Step 4 – Dilution and Bottling

Vodka dilution involves adding quality, purified water to the distilled, filtered spirit. The water lowers the vodka’s alcohol volume (ABV) to a drinkable level – usually around 40-50%. How much water is added – and the type and quality of water used – will affect strength and mouthfeel.

What is Vodka Distilled From? Common Ingredients

The ingredients used in the vodka distillation process vary from country to country, manufacturer to manufacturer.  It can be made from almost any sugar-rich, starchy grain, fruit or vegetable, but the most common choices are potatoes, sugar beet molasses, and grains.

Potato Vodkas

Potato vodkas have a unique texture and flavor compared to grain-based spirits.

Potatoes are used for their high starch content, which is easier converted into sugar and fermented. While the humble spud is an iconic and well-known base for vodka, statistics show that only about 3% of vodka sold worldwide is made from potatoes.

Grain-Based Vodkas

Today, vodka is more commonly grain-based. Popular grains used are wheat, corn, rye, and barley. Each grain presents a distinct flavor profile.

Other Ingredients Used for Vodka

Although grains like wheat and rye are common bases used in vodka distillation, there are plenty of other options too.

• Sugar cane
• Quinoa
• Buckwheat
• Grapes
• Olives
• Rice
• Whey
• Maple sap
• Honey
• Apples

Why Base Ingredients Matter in Vodka

The base ingredient of a vodka makes a huge difference in the final product’s taste, smell and mouthfeel. Depending on the type of potato, grain or fruit used, the taste varies a lot, even if vodka is often considered a so-called ‘neutral’ spirit.

For example:

• Potatoes provide a fleshy mouthfeel and savory, earthy, nutty flavors that express the terroir of where the potatoes are grown
• Wheat creates a smooth, light texture, with a subtle, bready flavor
• Rye builds a zesty and spicy palate
• Corn brings a rich, buttery taste
• Barley creates a crisp feel and a cereal-like flavor
• Fruits, like grapes, create delicate and smooth spirits

Essentially, different base ingredients create distinct characteristics in the final product: wheat-based vodkas typically have different molecular compositions than potato-based vodkas, resulting in varied texture profiles.

What is Absolut Vodka Made From?

The main ingredients of Absolut vodka are Swedish winter wheat, and the finest water sourced from local wells up to 176 meters deep. Absolut vodka is produced and bottled in Åhus, a small village in southern Sweden. Our vodka is continuously distilled using traditions and knowledge that have been passed down through generations of local farmers and distillers.