Stoli® Vodka

Stolichnaya comes from a Russian vodka recipe, but the product hasn’t been made in Russia for several decades. Spirits International, the company behind Stoli, actually produces their vodka in Latvia. In fact, the company’s owner, Yuri Shefler, is a staunch opponent of Russia and defected from the country in 2000 — Stoli’s makers are even going so far as to verify that none of their vodka’s ingredients are Russian-sourced, hoping to cut ties completely from the country. So, while Stolichnaya is a Russian word (loosely meaning “metropolitan”) and a Russian recipe, this vodka brand wants nothing else to do with the affiliation.

While many spirits (such as cognac or bourbon) have a strict set of ingredients by which distillers must abide, vodka need only be a clear alcohol with a minimum of 40% ABV, leaving plenty of leeway for vodka makers’ recipes. Vodka can be made from several different ingredients, most commonly grains (such as wheat, barley, and rye) or potatoes. Stoli vodka uses a combination of wheat and rye grains — side note, grain-based vodkas tend to be milder in flavor than those made with potatoes, which can make them a better option for mixing in cocktails.

Stoli vodkas are available in different proofs and collectible bottles, and the powerhouse brand really shines in the flavored vodka category. Stoli was a pioneer in this trend, commercially releasing two flavored vodkas (pepper and honey & herb) all the way back in 1962. Today, the trend has only grown in popularity, and Stoli shoppers can choose from any one of the following flavors: lime, cucumber, blueberry, orange, raspberry, vanilla, strawberry, lemon, peach, hot pepper, and salted caramel. The different varieties lend to literally hundreds of cocktail ideas (like the Salted K Dog, which combines grapefruit juice with Stoli Salted Karamel).

With a typical sticker price of around $20, a 750mL bottle of Stoli vodka is an affordable and widely accessible gift. Stoli is a standard, recognizable option that won’t squeeze your wallet. Besides, when you choose Stoli, you can purchase a few fun sodas and fruit juices with the money you saved (pro tip: you can order cocktail mixers and check out Stoli’s full flavor lineup on Drizly).