Vodka is an alcoholic drink that is produced by distilling alcohol from grain or potatoes. It is highly alcoholic, usually around 40% by volume, and is usually drunk in small portions, accompanied by snacks such as herring, cucumbers, or pickled vegetables.
Vodka was a very popular alcoholic drink in the USSR, and was one of the symbols of the country. Vodka was produced for many years in various regions of the USSR, and had a high degree of purity and quality. Many people drank vodka with flavor or as an aperitif, and also used it in cooking. Despite this, the huge consumption of vodka became a problem in the USSR, and the All-Union Council of People’s Deputies passed a law restricting the production and consumption of alcohol in 1985, thereby limiting the availability of vodka to the population.
The price of vodka in the USSR changed. For example, in 1924 it was 1 ruble, after 1945 – 21.20 rubles, under Brezhnev – 2.87 rubles, under Khrushchev – from 3.62 rubles, in 1986 – 9.10 rubles.
Cocktail (Unsplash License)
Prohibition
In the USSR, campaigns to combat alcoholism were periodically carried out, which were accompanied by the temporary introduction of prohibition.
Thus, the first prohibition was introduced in 1914 in connection with the First World War. This gave rise to many violations, alcohol was sold on the black market.
However, the most famous example of prohibition in the USSR was the campaign carried out in 1985-1987 by the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Mikhail Gorbachev. The goal of the campaign was to combat alcoholism, which had risen sharply in the 1970s and 1980s. The campaign was successful in that alcohol production was reduced and life expectancy increased by several years. However, the campaign also had many negative consequences, such as a sharp reduction in government revenues and an increase in the unofficial circulation of alcohol, which led many Russians to distill moonshine at home using low-quality materials. Ultimately, the prohibition campaign was officially suspended in 1987.
Folklore
“You’ll be the third” – there’s not enough money for a bottle.
“Have a snack with hydrosausage” – wash it down with tap water. Used when there is no snack.
“To have a snack of lamb” – to sniff with a sleeve, maybe not even your own, but a friend’s. In another interpretation – to sniff with a friend’s head. Here I think the main thing is that the aroma is stronger and sharper.
“Have a snack of chicken” – have a smoke after a drink.