These days, few would argue with the continuing predominance of vodka in Russia, and many still enjoy vodka tastings in the traditional way – gulped as ice-cold shots, with caviar-topped blini on the side. But vodka has also grown up: across St Petersburg many of the most in-demand cocktail bars are finding new ways to (literally) shake up the spirit of choice. From the stylish St Petersburg vodka bar scene to the dedicated Vodka Museum, this is our ultimate St. Petersburg vodka tour.
The Vodka Museum
Any good tour of St Petersburg vodka will kick off from the Russian Vodka Room No. 1 and the Vodka Museum. Take note: the name is something of a misnomer – this museum is far from extensive, but after browsing the small collection of artefacts, this will hardly matter. Sign up for a tour, and you’ll find yourself faced with a few snifters of the spirit, alongside a sampling of traditional Russian snacks. See if you can taste the differences amongst the distillations – or simply enjoy yourself before sopping it all up with some hearty, old school grub at the adjacent restaurant.
Which St. Petersburg Vodkas Bar?
Ordering your vodka neat can be the best way to taste the subtleties of each distillation. But then again, no vodka tour would be complete without stopping by a St Petersburg vodka bar, or few. Technically a café and club as well as a cocktail den, trendy Dom Byta fills its drinks menu with local, Russian ingredients. Start with a Berezki, which features vodka alongside aloe honey, cucumber, rosemary, birch syrup, and blueberry, or the Forrest Gump, which pairs vodka with sorrel, honey, and raspberry.
Favoured among the city’s young and stylish set, Mishka Bar is also (in)famous for its custom vodka shots. And the true cocktail purists should add Zing Bar to their list, as the bar specialises in classic cocktails – and reputedly refuses to serve Coca-Cola, Piña Coladas, B-52s, or drinks set on fire.
