In Ancient Russia, vodka wasn't used as a drink for intoxication but as miracle mixture of medicinal grasses for external and internal use. It healed wounds. Applied as a narcotic for pain. For internal use a dose did not exceed half a spoon full. Myths about curative properties of vodka promoted it's fast distribution to people and to the transition in the category of ordinary drinks. By the 15th century essentially new technologies, whose founders were scientific - religious attendants, appeared. Presumably, the first grain wine was created between 1440 and 1470 in Moscow, in Chudovom, a monastery of the Kremlin. Monasty distillation was in such competition to the state treasury, that Grand duke, Ivan iii was compelled to take on the church for prohibition of monasty distillation. In 1474 the first monopoly to manufacture vodka came into force and stayed until 1605 In 1552 Ivan the Terrible, having returned after a campaign to Kazan, forbade vodka trade in Moscow and has ordered the construction of a Tavern (oprichnikov), a special house " on Balchuge " (on a bog). The tavern soon became popular and became a place of amusement. Soon the state realised this was an inexhaustible source of income for the treasury from the sale of vodka
Since 1555 taverns have appeared and in other Russian cities replacing old pubs (korchmy). Since 1746 taverns were renamed into "pubs", but the name "tavern" was kept and became nominal. Within a few centuries the tavern was not simply a pub but a social phenomenon, a feature of Russian life and created a new public social layer, " kabatskih jaryg " The most significant jump in the use of alcohol in Russia took place during Peter the 1st's noisy, cheerful feasts. Peter the 1st brought tradition to Russian vodka drinking. The Tsar demanded work every day and drinking was allowed only in holidays. Peter the 1st liked to drink so much, in one day he could drink 36 glasses. The memory of this mighty person is also remembered in an alcoholic way of Russia. The empire began to drink extensively. Due to Peter the 1st, vodka in Russia was considered as an obligatory accessory, not only celebratory, but also a daily necessity. At one time, vodka even given out to inhabitants of charitable institutions Vodka was long considered to be an indispensable part of a soldier's soldiering. Russian regiments almost always carried vodka for encouragement in resolute moments. The army regulations of 1716. established special rations - distribution of alcoholic drinks. The soldier received an obligatory issue - 2 circles of vodka per day (about 1,5 litres) One circle per day was given to all Petersburg builders, road workers, shipyard workers and port loaders. For commoners, low-grade vodka, free-of-charge, under the imperial order, was issued. It was made at an imperial tavern In the middle of the 18th century at the distillation plant Ekaterina II, vodka production became the extreme privilege of nobility. She issued laws for the state control of manufacture of vodka by private(individual) manufacturers In the 19th century, oustanding Russian chemist Mendeleev D.I. (1834-1907) had developed a theoretical basis of vodka. He had given the indistinct concept "vodka", precise scientific and commodity characteristics. The word "vodka" became the unique name of the main spirits drink of Russia Vodka is a product which, as the basic component, has rye grain spirit dissolved on soft, spring water and is exact up to 40 degrees purity
Ideal proportions of waterless spirit and water in the vodka standard have helped to define research by Mendeleev, and the tables made by him have remained as a basis of alcoholimetry All distilled mixes have similar properties, but biochemical, physical and physiological qualities of spirits solutions are not so unequivocal, they can be drunk by the person without unpleasant consequences, others can be harmful Calculations have shown, that the litre 40 degree mixes should weigh exactly 953 grammes, no more, no less In 1894 the structure of vodka was patented by Russia as the main national spirits drink - vodka At the end of the 19th century, Russia was at 11th place on the use spirits among the European countries. France was in the lead - on 3 buckets of vodka per person, per year, Italy - 2,87 buckets, Belgium - 2,67 buckets In the beginning of the 20th century, Russia became the main European manufacturer and the supplier of spirit, having pushed aside Germany and Austria-Hungary. Russian spirit was bought widely by wine makers in Greece, Spain, Italy and France From the second half of the 19th century, special attention was paid to the perfection of technology and updating of equipment. The right on manufacture and selling of alcoholic drinks was reserved for the state. Quality should meet to prestige of the state. Alcoholic drinks practically become an equivalent of money. Any change of quality was perceived as a crime against the state In 1914 in connection with the beginning of the 1st world war, the Russian government entered the "dry" law (prohibition)
Prior to the beginning of the 19th century, the basic raw material for preparation of Russian vodka was considered rye. In the 1920's, there were lots of different grades of vodka. During economic ruin and war, potato vodka was also made. But rye always remained the best ingredient, and now, from rye, the supreme and traditional grades of vodka are produced Since 1924 the Soviet government held a monopoly on vodka production which remained for over 68 years. The monopoly on vodka production by the Russian government, ended in June, 1993 In 1978 the state vodka industry of Poland declared it's claims for invention of grain vodka By the decision of the international arbitration of 1982, the USSR were given priority of creation of vodka as a Russian original drink and the exclusive right to it's advertising under this name in the world market