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10 Best Ukrainian Vodka Brands (2024 Updated)

Best Ukrainian Vodka

Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Lydia Martin

Not only is alcohol present in most Ukrainian celebrations – being able to make good alcohol is a rite of passage among males, subject to local competitions and cultural celebrations! 

Ukraine makes some of the best vodkas available in the world. Here’s every vodka proudly Ukrainian. 

10 Best Ukrainian Brands 

1. Khor Platinum Vodka

Khor Platinum is a unique corn-based vodka made using state-of-the-art silver filtration techniques. The spirits are charcoal filtered through birch and alder trees, which results in a balanced and smooth profile. Khor’s premium ingredients, including water from artesian wells and 100 percent Luxe corn, ensure that this spirit is a delight to drink whether you want to mix vodka in drinks or enjoy it on its own.

2. Nemiroff Vodka

Nemiroff Vodka on desk

Second, on the list is Nemiroff Vodka. This vodka is made in the Podillya region, famous for its ideal climate for growing soft winter wheat. The grain is blended with pure water from artesian wells. What sets Nemiroff Vodka apart from other vodkas is its incorporation of honey and caraway seeds, which gives it a spicy-citrusy finish. 

In 2020, Nemiroff Vodka won six medals at the Bartender Spirits Awards, including the coveted gold for Nemiroff Vodka: Rested in Barrel. As the name suggests, the Nemiroff Vodka: Rested is rested for a bit in oak barrels, which contributes to a rich wooden aroma, light sweetness, and astringency from the oak core. 

Other Nemiroff Vodka flavors include Honey Pepper, Burning Pear, and Bold Orange. 

3. Zirkova One Ultra Premium Vodka

Zirkova One Ultra Premium Vodka on desk

Zirkova makes some of the best Ukrainian vodka out in the market, and they have their homeland to thank for it. Their website states that “the fecund land yields hearty wheat that adds subtle notes of anise seed, pepper, and lemon zest, and rye that imparts a delicate nutty sweetness to our vodka.” 

Aptly named Zirkova One, this selection is best for sipping, with citrus notes on the tongue. On the other hand, Zirkova Together is created specifically for cocktails — its milder flavor is the perfect combination to vermouth for a vodka martini, or lime or cranberry juice for a refreshing cocktail. 

4. Ukrainian Heritage Homemade Rye Vodka

Ukrainian Heritage on desk with cocktail

Ukrainian Heritage believes that water is the key ingredient of good quality spirits, which is why they use only the purest water from the region to blend with their base of rye grain. An intricate system, made of silver, platinum, and shungite filters, further purifies it to produce a final spirit as crystal clear as boozy water with a lot of spice. 

5. Pristine Vodka

Pristine on table with cocktail

Pristine Vodka is proudly pristine. This award-winning premium name is a humble Ukrainian’s dream of producing a premium vodka line for the US market. After teaming up with agriculturalists and master distillers, he concocted a unique spirit made from Ukrainian wheat grown in rich chernozem soil. [1] The final spirit is creamy on the nose, with cake and citrus flavors and a spice cake finish. 

6. Mernaya Vodka

Mernaya on desk with glass

Mernaya Vodka provides great value for its price: it uses pure spring water and distilled Luxe grain alcohol as its ingredients, all for under $20 a bottle. Even better, the brand uses silver in its filtration process to provide you with unmatched purity in every drop. This harmonic vodka works great in both neat and mixed drinks. 

7. Khortytsa De Luxe Vodka

Khortytsa De Luxe on table with cocktail

Khortytsa is recognized as one of the world’s best distilleries in 2014, with De Luxe as the tour de force. The spirits use grain ethanol Luxe and the purest water to create the elite, exclusive recipe. Unlike others that might be more neutral in the palate, Khortytsa remains bold, with notes of cherry and cinnamon dancing on your tongue. It pairs extremely well with hot, savory food, or for making a variety of long and short drinks. 

8. Pervak Homemade Rye Vodka

Pervak on desk

Pervak Homemade distinguishes itself from other vodka brands by sticking to a single distillation process. And although it is expected to have a harsh bite and a more “grainy” flavor, this drink remains surprisingly gentle as you sip. Cracked black pepper and rosemary are present in the spirit’s taste, with a lick of sweet smoothness from burnt caramel.  

9. First Guild Vodka

First Guild Vodka on table

First Guild Vodka, also known as Persha Gildiya, is a super-premium vodka made from natural ingredients: high-quality wheat alcohol of the Luxe class and pure artesian water. What sets it apart from other Ukrainian vodkas is its infusion of white rice, rendering the vodka unusually smooth and mint, giving the spirit a pleasant cooling taste. But what’s the best vodka for no hangover?

10. Dima’s Vodka 

Dima’s Vodka on desk with vodka martini cocktail

Dima’s Vodka is distilled from three different grains: barley, wheat, and rye, to give it a well-rounded flavor profile. Traditionally, vodka in Ukraine is served with a pickle, and the brand suggests that every time you have a tipple, it must be alongside a juicy pickle. Dima’s exceptional taste, which won gold in the 2021 World Vodka Awards and silver at the Wine and Spirit Competition, makes it the perfect accompaniment for most savory food. 

Luxurious Ukrainian Vodka Brands 

Luxurious Ukrainian Vodka Brands 

HLIBNY DAR 

Hands down, HLIBNY DAR is the number one Ukrainian vodka brand and number five globally. For decades, they have embraced integrity and loyalty to Ukrainian traditions in making their spirit; the Bayadera Group has revealed that HLIBNY DAR goes through a special speed-controlled filtration process. 

Staritsky Levitsky Private Cellar Vodka

Staritsky Levitsky Private Cellar Vodka on desk with box

Staristsky Levitsky Private is a premium, limited edition vodka targeted towards aficionados. It is produced on a small scale, with each bottle manually hand-labeled and sealed with black wax. The spirit is rested for 60 days before bottling to reach a sweet, harmonious balance. The result is crisp and smooth vodka with medium intensity on the palate. 

Shevkoff Ukraine Luxury Vodka

One of the first things you’ll notice about Shevkov is how hot it is. After you’ve surpassed that initial heat, you’ll notice notes of wheat and resin, with bittersweet cocoa and prickly cereal (which is a great thing!). This premium spirits line won Distillery of the Year in the 2014 New York International Spirits Competition. 

Related Posts:

Non-Ukrainian Vodka 

Some Vodka Alternatives From Other Countries 

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is proudly American-made and produced in Texas’s oldest legal distillery. The yellow corn base is six times distilled and quite sweet with a silky, creamy taste and heavy notes of corn on the nose. 

Grey Goose Vodka

Grey Goose Vodka

Grey Goose Vodka is a French-produced vodka made for the American luxury vodka market. It is made with two ingredients, locally sourced from France: soft, single-origin winter wheat from Picardy, and spring water from Gensac-La-Pulle. This vodka is exceptionally clean and creamy and is excellent right out of the freezer. 

Read: Grey Goose vs Tito’s Vodka

Skyy Vodka

Like Tito, Skyy Vodka is US-made and uses a base of corn. This vodka is extremely light and crisp, perfect for beginners — but those looking for a more sophisticated, complex vodka might find it too bland. It’s a great choice in mixed drinks or as a base for many cocktails, but it leaves much to be desired for sipping. You’ll find some of our favorite Skyy vodka flavors here

Ketel One Vodka

ketel one vodka

Ketel One is a delicious Dutch vodka with over 400 years of experience in the vodka industry. It is silky, cream-heavy vodka that others might find off-putting, but at least there is a sincere effort in cutting this back with zesty lemon notes. The brand also uses a unique coal-fueled distillation method (where they got the name “ketel” from). 

Chopin Vodka

Chopin Vodka hails from a family-owned distillery in Poland and proudly declares that they have been using the same methods passed down for generations. The brand only uses hand-selected Polish potatoes distilled in a copper-column still, lending a dark, earthy aroma and a savory profile to each sip. 

Popular Ukrainian-Based Vodka Cocktails 

Popular Ukrainian-Based Vodka Cocktails

Figgie

This cocktail recipe uses fig jam (something we’ve never tasted before), tangy lemon juice, and a frothy egg white. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz vodka 
  • 0.5 oz lemon juice 
  • 1 egg white 
  • 1 tbsp fig jam 
  • Dehydrated lemon wheel 
  • Ice 

Instructions:

Pour everything into a cocktail shaker and combine. Once everything has been blended, add ice into the cocktail shaker and give everything a good shake until chilled. Pour and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with the lemon wheel and serve. 

Serving:

White Ukrainian

white ukranian

The White Ukrainian is a variation of the beloved White Russian cocktail. Here’s how you can make this sweet recipe.  

Prep Time: 3 minutes 

Total Time: 3 minutes 

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz vodka 
  • 1 oz coconut rum 
  • 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream 
  • 1 oz hazelnut liqueur 
  • 1 oz amaretto liqueur 
  • Milk 
  • Ice 

Instructions:

Pour everything (except milk) into a glass and stir gently to combine. Add ice. Top it off with milk and stir again to combine. Serve immediately. 

Serving: 1

FAQs 

Do they drink vodka in Ukraine?

Yes, they do drink vodka in Ukraine. Many Ukrainian men prefer vodka or cognac above all other spirits. It’s also considered great etiquette to bring a bottle of vodka when visiting the homes of friends and family. But how many vodka shots can get you drunk?

Are Ukrainian vodkas good?

Yes, Ukrainian vodkas are good! Ukraine houses black chernozem, highly fertile soil rich in hummus, excellent for growing quality grains necessary for vodka production. 

What is the drinking age in Ukraine?

Like with the rest of Europe, the legal drinking age in Ukraine is 18. However, if you’re a minor and would like to partake in liquor in the privacy of your own home, there is no legislation that would put you in trouble. 

Is Ukraine known for vodka?

Yes, Ukraine is known for its production and consumption of vodka. Vodka holds a significant place in Ukrainian culture and traditions, with a history of distillation dating back centuries. Ukrainian vodka is celebrated for its purity, smoothness, and versatility, often made from high-quality grains and filtered through charcoal for a clean taste. Vodka plays a central role in social gatherings and celebrations in Ukraine, where it is enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a base for cocktails. The country’s rich distilling heritage and dedication to craftsmanship have contributed to Ukraine’s reputation as a producer of fine vodka, earning recognition both domestically and internationally.

What is the most popular vodka brand in Ukraine?

One of the most popular vodka brands in Ukraine is Nemiroff. Founded in the 19th century, Nemiroff has become synonymous with quality and tradition in Ukrainian vodka production. The brand offers a wide range of vodka varieties, each crafted with precision and care using locally sourced ingredients and traditional distillation methods. Nemiroff vodka is renowned for its smoothness, purity, and distinctive flavor profile, making it a favorite among Ukrainian consumers and earning accolades in the spirits industry.

Is Smirnoff vodka from Ukraine?

No, Smirnoff vodka is not from Ukraine. Smirnoff is a Russian brand of vodka that was first produced in Moscow in the late 19th century by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov. The brand quickly gained popularity both in Russia and internationally, becoming one of the best-selling vodka brands in the world. While Smirnoff vodka may be produced in various countries to meet global demand, its origins lie in Russia, where it continues to be associated with quality and tradition in vodka production.

Did Ukraine invent vodka?

The invention of vodka is a topic of debate among historians, with various countries claiming to be the birthplace of the spirit. While Ukraine has a long history of vodka production and consumption, it is generally accepted that vodka as we know it today originated in Eastern Europe, with both Russia and Poland often cited as early producers of the spirit. The exact origins of vodka are shrouded in myth and legend, making it difficult to attribute its invention to any single country definitively. However, Ukraine certainly played a significant role in the development and popularization of vodka, contributing to its rich cultural heritage and global reputation as a producer of fine spirits.

Final Thoughts 

Ukrainian vodka might not be a familiar go-to for many, but it’s great that they’re making a name for themselves. From Khor Platinum Vodka and Dima’s Vodka to Nemiroff Vodka, this country has some unique vodkas that close gaps in what is already available in the vodka market. 

Try any of the Ukrainian bottles on this list, and let us know what you think! 

How do you drink Ukraine vodka?

Drinking Ukrainian vodka is a cultural experience that reflects the country’s rich heritage and traditions. Ukrainians typically enjoy vodka in a manner that emphasizes its purity and flavor, savoring it as a standalone spirit or incorporating it into social gatherings and celebrations.

Neat: One of the most common ways to drink Ukrainian vodka is neat, or straight, served at room temperature in a small, chilled shot glass. This allows drinkers to appreciate the vodka’s smoothness, clarity, and subtle flavor nuances without dilution from mixers or ice.

Toasting: Ukrainians often partake in toasting rituals when drinking vodka, a practice deeply rooted in their culture. Toasts are offered to commemorate special occasions, express gratitude, or honor guests. Each toast is accompanied by a shot of vodka, which is consumed in one swift motion as a sign of respect.

Accompaniments: While vodka is often enjoyed on its own, it can also be accompanied by traditional Ukrainian snacks such as pickles, cured meats, or rye bread with salted lard (known as salo). These flavorful accompaniments complement the vodka’s clean taste and enhance the overall drinking experience.

Socializing: Drinking vodka in Ukraine is often a social activity, bringing friends and family together to share stories, laughter, and camaraderie. Whether enjoyed during a festive meal, at a gathering with friends, or as part of a special occasion, Ukrainian vodka fosters a sense of connection and community among those who partake.

Reference: 

  1. Chernozem FAO Group
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