In this article, we are going to discuss the vodka consumption by country in the top 5 countries. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the origin of vodka, the global vodka market, the most popular vodka brand in the world, and the comeback of flavored vodka, head to Vodka Consumption by Country: Top 20 Countries.
5. Slovakia
Vodka Consumption per Capita: 4.13 shots per month
Drinking is very much a part of Slovak culture and some form of alcohol is usually present at any social occasion. Slovakians drink an average of 10.48 liters of pure alcohol per capita annually and their country ranks among the top 20 countries that drink the most alcohol in 2023.
With more than 140 years of tradition, Nicolaus Vodka is the best-selling brand in the Central European country. The popular vodka is made using the finest grain alcohol with crystal clear glacier water, and every drop of Nicolaus is filtered through 24 unique active silver filters.
4. Bulgaria
Vodka Consumption per Capita: 5.26 shots per month
Bulgaria has a rich Slavic heritage, and therefore in addition to the traditional Rakia, vodka is also a popular drink in the country. Young Bulgarians celebrate vodka as a ‘hip’ drink and especially favor the flavored vodka varieties.
Savoy is one of the most popular vodka brands in Bulgaria. Made from high quality grain alcohol and soft and demineralized water, Savoy is ideal as a base for original cocktails.
3. Ukraine
Vodka Consumption per Capita: 9.96 shots per month
Sales of several Ukrainian vodka brands were badly affected by the ongoing Russian invasion of the country, possibly due to the power outages and shelling, with several of them witnessing a double-digit decline in sales in 2022.
Nemiroff is a popular Ukrainian vodka that had to close its main distillery for a month following the Russian invasion and saw its sales drop by a staggering 57.4% in 2022. However, the brand has proven to be resilient and is now witnessing a resurgence this year, including a two-fold increase in sales in the U.K.
2. Poland
Vodka Consumption per Capita: 13.71 shots per month
Vodka is one of the national symbols of Poland and Poles usually take vodka in shots, not in drinks, accompanied by a chaser in the form of some juice or soda. The country is also among the top exporters of the spirit, with $154 million of vodka exported in 2021. Żubrówka is a popular brand in Poland.
It was reported in 2021 that the Maspex Wadowice Group acquired CEDC, a Polish subsidiary of the Russian ROUST group, in a deal worth $980.8 million. CEDC is the leader of the Polish vodka market and boasts a portfolio of leading brands, including Żubrówka and Soplica.
1. Russia
Vodka Consumption per Capita: 17.28 shots per month
Russia’s position on the list does not come as a surprise, as over the course of the country’s history, vodka has featured prominently in social, political, and militaristic arenas. In rural areas of the Russian empire, vodka even served as a compensation for manual labor in a practice called pomoch’, which literally translates to ‘help’.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, lawmakers, bar owners, retailers, and consumers looking to show support for Ukraine have called for a boycott of brands with links back to Russia, or in the case of some vodka brands, perceived links to Russia. Russia is the country that drinks the most vodka in the world.
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