The Reason Vodka Is Served Cold

Take part in a festive Russian occasion and the vodka will be flowing — but with plenty of etiquette to follow. Frequent toasting and tiny snacks like pickles must accompany the shots, which are always served straight and ice-cold, per Atlas Obscura. And even outside of Russia, many store their vodka in the freezer. Since the contained ethanol lowers the freezing point drastically, there's no fear of the liquor solidifying via ThoughtCo.

Yet there's more than precedent that influences drinkers to consume this nearly flavorless spirit cold. First, cooling vodka impacts its texture, creating a richer, less watery liquid many prefer for mouthfeel, states Complex. But don't get it too cold, as Francois Thibault, the creator of Grey Goose, told Insider. For higher quality vodkas, they should still be chilled, but only at fridge temperature to maximize aroma, he advises. So what makes the temperature of this high-proof spirit taken more into account than liquors served straight from the cabinet?

Largely, consumers chill vodka so that it's easier to drink. Slinging down a cold shot goes down smoother due to a group of compounds known as volatiles. These structures readily vaporize, contributing to desirable flavors, like in whiskey, and that alcohol-on-the-nose sensation associated with low-quality liquors explains VinePair. Since vodka is distilled for a clean, smooth taste rather than complexity, limiting the flavor is desirable, especially with low-cost bottles. If trying to down as many glasses as possible, the colder, the better.

Yet for savoring both a vodka's flavor and texture, the fridge rather than in the freezer is the ideal temperature. A slight chill will still impart the 'creaminess,' or the pleasant texture a person may enjoy, while maintaining some of the flavors that differentiate vodkas during fermentation, Moscow Mule Explains.

And really, there's no wrong way to drink or store the spirit — in any format, it'll deliver the booze and never spoil. But for the most enjoyable experience, follow Russian tradition, and serve it chilled.