Russian Vodka Day
January 31 · Level 3 · #1678 of 2238
Russian Vodka Day is an informal occasion for exploring the drink's history—and questioning its best-known origin story. The date is associated with Dmitri Mendeleev's defence of a dissertation on alcohol and water mixtures, rather than the actual invention of vodka.
How it is celebrated: visitors explore drinks museums, historic glassware and dining traditions. Producers and bars may also hold tastings and introduce the stories behind their products.
Mendeleev neither invented vodka nor established its ideal drinking strength in that dissertation. He was investigating the properties of alcohol–water solutions; the familiar vodka legend grew around his scientific work.