Europe - Russian Federation - Moscow

Vodka is an alcoholic beverage which has already become a Russian national symbol. It was invented by Muscovite monks in the fourteenth century and it is obtained from the fermentation of cereal. The best known brands are Moskovskaya and Stolichnaya, made from wheat and rye and a little sweeter than the rest.
In Russia, vodka's usually drunk alone or accompanied with pickles but it can also be complemented with fruity flavors -like the Limonnaya- or mixed with other alcoholic beverages like Starka, a drink that's a mixture of brandy, port wine, vodka and apple leaves. A little vodka is the best aid against cold during the long Siberian winter.