Museum of vodka. History of Russian Drink

Vodka is a native Russian drink that is part of Russia's culture and traditions. For the history of its existence, many recipes have been created. About vodka written songs and poems, it was used in different amounts by everyone: from the serf peasant to the king. Not surprisingly, it was in Russia that the first and only museum of vodka opened in the world.

Unusual museum

On May 27, 2001, in the heart of the Northern Capital, a small museum opened its doors for visitors, in which the whole exposition is dedicated to a single product - vodka. In fact, this is a commercial project, but it also has historical authenticity.

Where to find

Finding such an unusual museum is not difficult. It is located in the historical center of the city, on the Konnogvardeisky boulevard, very close to St. Isaac's Cathedral. The premises for the exposition were allocated by the restaurant "Vodka No. 1". In the museum you can not only learn the history of the creation of the drink, interesting facts related to it, and see the historical artifacts, but also make a tasting of several varieties of vodka with traditional Russian snacks.

The whole exposition of the exhibition is not agitation. On the contrary, its task is to impart respect to the culture of the people and the traditions of drinking. By the way, to persons who have not reached the age of 18, the entrance to this institution is closed. This is not a place for family leisure.

Exposition

The Russian vodka museum houses two halls. In the first visitors get acquainted with the history of the appearance of the product, with different manufacturing methods and famous manufacturers. The exhibits are divided into epochs from the 11th century up to the present day, so that visitors can more easily perceive information.

The guide tells the visitors who came to the museum of Russian vodka (St. Petersburg) that it was originally used for medicinal purposes. Her production was done by monks. And the brothers of the faith from Constantinople shared their technology of making alcohol. Only their product was obtained as a result of distillation of grapes, but in Russia it was not cultivated then. It was necessary to customize the recipe under the realities of the northern country and learn to distinguish alcohol from what is - from the grain. The product was no worse than the overseas, and by some indicators even surpassed, for which it became known as the "Water of Life".

The new invention was widely used in the manufacture of medicinal tinctures and even for spirits. During the plague epidemic, healers came up with the idea of treating patients with alcohol. And although he did not become a panacea for the disease, the disinfecting properties of the liquid were discovered.

Under Ivan III, the first "taverns" were opened, where alcoholic beverages received at distilleries were sold.

Peter I generally legalized the use of alcohol by imposing a tax on it. The treasury received enormous sums. Thanks to them, the ambitious king arranged the state, carried out reforms and built a new capital, in which the vodka museum now operates.

But Catherine II allowed the nobles to produce in their estates clandestine products, for which they had to pay "tax" to the treasury. Thanks to this step, the collection of recipes was enriched, because everyone brought changes to the recipe in accordance with their taste and capabilities.

By the nineteenth century, this branch of the economy was the most profitable. Russian vodka was even exported abroad. Prominent scientists have contributed to the development of this product. So, Mendeleev found a "golden" ratio of alcohol and water, so that the taste of the product turned out to be special. Vodka Fortress 40 degrees was patented in 1894 under the name "Moscow Special".

The look of the visitors who have glanced in the vodka museum (Petersburg), presents various original documents, one way or another concerning the legendary drink. The collection includes original bottles, decanters, shtofs and other measuring containers, as well as utensils for drinking. Do not forget the creators of the museum about traffic jams and labels, which are also interesting.

Revived history

The exhibition is revived by two compositions from wax figures, which are the pride of the organizers of the museum. Each of them clearly illustrates important milestones in the history of development and distribution of vodka in Russia.

The guide will tell you about which alcoholic beverages the first people of the state preferred, because it is known that vodka stood on tables and at royal feasts, and in peasant huts. It turns out that a snack for brandy "Guards Wine" - a slice of lemon, laid between pieces of cheese - was invented by Emperor Nicholas II.

But not only the culture of drinking is dedicated to the museum. The fight against vodka was conducted since it was mass-produced. A number of exhibits are devoted to this particular problem.

Hall of the second

After an interesting story about vodka, the guide invites everyone to go to the second room, which is decorated in the style of a ryuchnoy beginning of the last century. There are also exhibits depicting the Soviet period of "life" of vodka, the dry law of Gorbachev, about 100 grams of drug addiction and much more. Here you can try a drink to which the vodka museum is dedicated.

What else will the guide tell

During the tour, the guide will not only tell the story of the creation and development of the drink, which has become a symbol of Russia, but also will tell you how to choose the right bottle in the store so as not to buy the "burned" products. So the museum of vodka interweaves history and modernity, myths and reality, narration and tasting.