The Best Canadian Vodka

Vodka is mostly known as the national drink of Russia. After all, vodka is said to have originated in the country. While Russia has the title for top vodka producing and consuming country, Canada has its own unique vodka brands. In fact, there are several Canadian vodkas worth trying. But since Canadian vodka is not as well known, it can be difficult deciding where to start. To help you, we have created a buying guide that lists the top Canadian vodkas in 2023. To kick things off, let’s look at some things to look for in Canadian vodka.

Ingredients: The quality of the ingredients can affect the quality of the vodka. The general rule of thumb is that better ingredients lead to a better vodka. We recommend you select vodka brands that grow their own ingredients. They will have greater control over the quality of the ingredients over distillers who buy them from suppliers.

Profile: Vodka is usually described as a bland spirit with no noticeable qualities. However, vodka aficionados say that vodka has a rich profile. Three things make vodka’s profile: smoothness, character, and taste. Vodka drinkers usually prefer each to be on the higher end of the spectrum. Still, it comes down to a person’s personal preference. Maybe you prefer an intense spicy taste over a silky-smooth finish. Consider what your preferences are and try to find a vodka that matches.

Price: The more money you spend usually equal a higher quality vodka. Cheaper brands will usually be lower quality vodkas. However, this not always true. Sometimes, higher end vodkas are of poor quality and not worth the expensive price. Keep this in mind when comparing vodka prices. The size of the bottle will also affect the price. Larger bottles (1L or more) usually have higher prices, while smaller bottles (around 750ml and lower) will have lower prices. Here’s another tip. Most liquor stores will stock high end vodka on the top shelfs, usually at eye level. The cheaper brands are typically placed on the bottom shelves.

Vodka types: While not as diverse as Scottish whisky, there are some distinct vodka types. The first type is single bottled vodka (or single barrel and single vintage). These are vodkas made from a single ingredient rather than a blend of elements. Single bottle vodkas are only filtered once. Barrel aged vodkas are the second type. As the name suggests, these vodkas are aged in barrels usually made from oak. The last type is called flavoured vodka. Various additives such as ginger, coriander, berries, honey, and cinnamon are added to the vodka to create a distinct flavour. This type of vodka is good for mixed drinks.

The three vodka types demonstrate that vodka is not just a neutral, bland drink. They show that vodka can have a distinct and unique flavour.

For this buying guide, our team spent over eight hours researching several Canadian vodka brands. We tried to select vodkas that were smooth and had interesting flavours. We read countless user reviews to learn what customers thought of our picks. Our team also consulted various articles to learn more about Canadian vodka.

What is Canadian vodka made from?

Just like other countries’ vodkas, Canadian vodka has several ingredients. The main ingredients are grains like barley, wheat, rye, and corn, and potatoes. However, other ingredients can be added to Canadian vodka. For example, milk, honey, grapes, and maple sugar can be distilled into vodka.

How is Canadian Vodka made?

To start, distillers combine their base ingredient (usually grains or potatoes) with water. The mixture is heated, and yeast is added to start fermentation. Next, the base is distilled several times in a column still. Brands will differ in how many times they will distill their vodkas (it can range from 3-7 times). The vodka is then tested to see whether it has reached the desired alcohol content. If it catches fire, then the vodka is ready. If it does not light up at all, it needs to be distilled further. Once the distillation is complete, the vodka is filtered to remove any impurities. Various types of filters exist, from activate charcoal to semi-precious crystals.

What does Canadian vodka taste like?

Unlike whiskey, Canadian vodka tends to have a neutral taste. And this is by design. Most Canadian vodkas are made to be flavourless. However, Canadian vodka does have a flavour to it, albeit a subtle and varying one. It has been described as sweet, creamy, fruity, spicy, and nutty. Other people are blunter with their assessment. They will say that vodka tastes like nail polish remover.

How much does Canadian vodka cost?

Canadian vodka on the cheaper side usually cost $20.00-$30.00 per bottle. Higher end brands usually sell for $60.00-$80.00. Keep in mind that the size of the bottle can influence the price. Larger bottles will be more expensive, while smaller bottles will be cheaper.

How do you drink vodka?

There are three ways people drink vodka, straight (or neat), on the rocks, or in a cocktail/mixed drinks. Drinking vodka straight is just as it sounds. Only the vodka is in the glass. On the rocks means vodka poured over ice. Vodka cocktails and mixed drinks use a variety of ingredients. Some common examples are soda like ginger ale, fruit juices, and liqueurs.

Is vodka the healthiest alcohol?

Vodka has gained a reputation as being the healthiest alcohol. In terms of calories, most vodkas are 100 calories per shot. This figure is not far off from other spirits like whiskey or gin. However, vodka sodas are often low in calories, so they would be a good option for people watching their weight.  Due to its distillation and filtration, vodka is free from many impurities found in other spirits. And with its low carb count, vodka and vodka sodas are popular drinks for people following Keto and other low carb diets.

At the end of the day, please keep in mind that vodka is still an alcoholic drink. Consuming it in excess can lead to serious health problems. Always practice moderation when drink vodka and other spirits.

For more information on the potential health benefits of vodka, check out this article by Town&Country.

Are there laws on Canadian vodka?

According to the government of Canada, there are three requirements for Canadian vodka:

1. Vodka will be made from potatoes, cereal grain, or any other material of agricultural origin. It will be fermented by the action of yeast or a mixture of yeast and other micro-organisms.
2. Vodka will be treated with charcoal or with other material so that it has not distinct character, aroma, or taste.
3. Vodka produced solely or in part from material other than potatoes or cereal grain will have the statement “produced from” followed by the list of ingredients used on the bottle.

As in other countries, Canadian vodka must be at least 80 proof, or 40% ABV.

What are the best vodka cocktails and mixed drinks?

Vodka is one of the most popular spirits to use in cocktails and mixed drinks. But before we get into some example, let’s define what cocktails and mixed drinks are. Most people use the terms interchangeably; however, the two are different. According to an article by Food&Wine, mixed drinks have a minimum of two ingredients (e.g., rum and ginger ale). Cocktails have three or more ingredients.

A screwdriver is a popular vodka mixed drinks. Its two ingredients are vodka and orange juice. The vodka martini is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. The ingredients are vodka, dry vermouth, bitters, and a garnish (e.g., a lemon peel). White Russians are another popular vodka cocktail. They are made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream served over ice. Lastly, the Bloody Mary is popular cocktail to have with brunch. The main ingredients are vodka and tomato juice with various spices added.

Check out this article by The Spruce Eats for a list of vodka cocktails. For recipes, check out this post by Insanely Good Recipes.

Sources used:

Thrillist: Vodka 101

Thrillist: What Does Vodka Taste Like?

Britannica: Learn how to make vodka