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Vodka
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<p>Vodka is a clear <a href="/facts/Distilled_beverage/azoTp1Mq">distilled alcoholic beverage</a>. Its varieties originated in <a href="/facts/Poland/eXJ7fd0D">Poland</a> and <a href="/facts/Russia/jfkCwyxn">Russia</a>. Vodka is composed mainly of water and <a href="/facts/Ethanol/3lCLfBSP">ethanol</a> but sometimes with traces of impurities and flavourings. Traditionally, it is made by distilling liquid from <a href="/facts/Fermentation_in_food_processing/pWDlWfkd">fermented</a> <a href="/facts/Cereal/ao2WcFdM">cereal grains</a> and <a href="/facts/Potato/F8jRVExs">potatoes</a> since the latter was introduced in Europe in the 18th century. Some modern brands use <a href="/facts/Maize/lJ6c5xMH">maize</a>, <a href="/facts/Sugarcane/925qszH4">sugar cane</a>, <a href="/facts/Fruits/PBpuzk60">fruit</a>, <a href="/facts/Honey/jnRSlNEF">honey</a>, and <a href="/facts/Maple_syrup/wm7P1fFM">maple sap</a> as the base. </p><p>Since the 1890s, standard vodkas have been 40% <a href="/facts/Alcohol_by_volume/FeFdzl8v">alcohol by volume</a> (ABV) (80 <a href="/facts/U.S._proof/KVQHHLCX">U.S. proof</a>). The <a href="/facts/European_Union/6GYcR8qM">European Union</a> has established a minimum alcohol content of 37.5% for vodka. Vodka in the United States must have a minimum alcohol content of 40%. </p><p>Vodka is traditionally drunk "<a href="/facts/Bartending_terminology/aHMPN4jS">neat</a>" (not mixed with water, ice, or other <a href="/facts/Mixer_drink/henD6BWj">mixers</a>), and it is often served freezer chilled in the <a href="/facts/Alcohol_belts_of_Europe/D2Qx7sI7">vodka belt</a> of Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Ukraine. It is also used in <a href="/facts/Cocktail/henD6BWj">cocktails and mixed drinks</a>, such as the <a href="/facts/Vodka_martini/2CyrYHTb">vodka martini</a>, <a href="/facts/Cosmopolitan_(cocktail)/zmsdBjk1">Cosmopolitan</a>, <a href="/facts/Vodka_tonic/3gglUaLw">vodka tonic</a>, <a href="/facts/Screwdriver_(cocktail)/kwnldmdl">screwdriver</a>, <a href="/facts/Greyhound_(cocktail)/dyhmu8Sn">greyhound</a>, <a href="/facts/Black_Russian/eMWysM01">Black</a> or <a href="/facts/White_Russian_(cocktail)/pLfCXvIh">White Russian</a>, <a href="/facts/Moscow_mule/epE8zld0">Moscow mule</a>, <a href="/facts/Bloody_Mary_(cocktail)/aBpmvNF2">Bloody Mary</a>, <a href="/facts/Caesar_(cocktail)/gnnbN5u3">Caesar</a> and <a href="/facts/Vodka_Red_Bull/z1mTaa7s">Red Bull Vodka</a>. </p><p>Since 1960s, the unflavoured Swedish <i><a href="/facts/Br%25C3%25A4nnvin/0nmTygDK">brännvin</a></i> also came to be called vodka. </p>