The Ritual of Two Fingers

A Quiet Russian Tradition of Vodka and Unexpected Friendship

There’s a story my dad used to tell, always with a half-smile and a distant look, like he was remembering something warm and fleeting. It was about a Russian tradition that wasn’t written down anywhere but passed along in hushed nostalgia.

One man stands outside a liquor store. No signs, no words! Just two fingers pressed gently against his chest. Not a peace sign. Not a wave. Just a quiet signal: I’m one of three.

If a stranger walks by and understands, he joins silently. No handshakes. No names. Just an unspoken “me too.” The first man drops a finger. Now there are two.

They wait. And when a third man appears, recognizes the moment, and joins; only then does it begin.

No fanfare. Just:

• A few rubles pooled

• A half-liter of vodka purchased

• A bench, a step, a quiet patch of curb
  

They sit. They share a few toasts, maybe a laugh. A song might slip out. Maybe someone tells a story they've never told before. And when the bottle is empty, the moment ends. No lingering. No need.

It was always vodka. Always a half-liter. Just enough for three, not to get drunk, but to let the guard down. To warm up. To connect.

There’s something beautiful about that, three strangers who decide, without a single word, to pause life for a shared moment. No performance, no pressure. Just honesty, presence, and a little burn going down.

This wasn't about partying. It was about breaking down the invisible walls we all carry around. That’s why they never picked just anything off the shelf. For a tradition like this, it had to be the best drinking vodka—something honest and clean, with nothing to hide behind.

Somehow, the simplicity of vodka, especially one with soul, like Zakuska, made that possible.

This wasn't about partying. It was about breaking down the invisible walls we all carry around. That’s why they never picked just anything off the shelf. For a tradition like this, it had to be the best drinking vodka—something honest and clean, with nothing to hide behind.

Zakuska wasn’t made for mixers.
It was made for moments like these.

Moments that live longer than memory.

In stories like this, it’s not the label that matters, but the experience it unlocks. And for that kind of experience, it’s worth seeking the best craft vodka—the kind made with care, for connections that don’t need words.

Why Five Shots Each Just Feels Right

Not long ago, I was at a banya, a classic Russian steam bath, sitting with a towel around my waist and a bottle on my mind. It came up that I’m building a vodka brand. Within minutes, I was surrounded by three Russian men, and the conversation turned passionate. But not about distillation methods or brand names.

It was about bottle size.
More specifically: “Make a half-liter,” they said. “It’s the right size. Trust us.”

They weren’t wrong.

Here in the U.S., we’re used to seeing 375ml, 750ml, and 1-liter bottles on the shelves. But in Russia, especially during the Soviet era, the 500ml bottle wasn’t just common. It was the bottle.

In a culture where classic vodka shots are a ritual of respect and rhythm, the 500ml bottle found its true purpose.

Let’s break it down:

• 500ml = about 16.9 ounces

• A standard shot is roughly 1 ounce

• That’s about 16–17 shots total

• Realistically? Call it 15, because someone always spills or pours heavy
  

Now imagine this: three people.
Fifteen shots. That’s five each.

And five is just... right.

Here’s how it usually plays out:

🥃 Shot 1 – The Introduction
The first toast. Names maybe. A nod of respect. Something light.

🥃 Shot 2 – The Warm-Up
Stories start flowing. Maybe some food, maybe a smile that sticks longer.

🥃 Shot 3 – The Heart
The conversation deepens. People open up. Laughter becomes real.

🥃 Shot 4 – The Soft Landing
Topics take a turn. Something personal. A memory. A deeper truth.

🥃 Shot 5 – The Goodbye
One last cheers. A Thank you. A shared moment now complete.

It’s the kind of bottle you reach for when you need vodka for a celebration shot—meant for meaningful toasts, not mindless pours.

A 375ml bottle? You stall out at four shots each. Feels unfinished.
A 1-liter? You risk losing the moment in the fog of too many toasts.

But the half-liter, it has shape.
It has rhythm.
It has an arc.

It starts, it builds, it ends—just like a good conversation.
Not too short, not too long. Just enough to connect.

At Zakuska Vodka, we believe in vodka that’s not just meant to be sipped, it’s meant to be shared. The 500ml bottle isn’t just a size. It’s an invitation. To pause. To gather. To create a memory that lives just a little longer than the warmth in your chest.

When you’re aiming to connect, not just consume, the best vodka for shots is the one that encourages stories, not hangovers.

Because sometimes the perfect pour isn’t about how much, it’s about how it feels.

Shots are an exclamation point!

Mar 7, 25

Shots get a bad rep.

They're often associated with youth, cheap alcohol, and rowdy nights out. But there’s another side to shots that many overlook—one rooted in tradition, connection, and shared experiences.

Mirroring and Trust

Whether you’re a CIA interrogator, a poker player or someone trying to make a good first impression, one common thread you’ll find, is that mirroring body language is a powerful tool. By mimicking someone else’s movements, you can build trust, establish a connection, and demonstrate empathy. In many ways, taking a shot together is the ultimate act of mirroring.

When you take a shot with someone, you both reach for the same cup at the same time. You drink the same spirit, at the same time, and place the cup down together. It’s a synchronized dance, a simple yet profound act that brings people together in a unique way.

The Rhythm of the Shot

There’s something different about taking a shot with someone compared to sipping a cocktail or enjoying a glass of wine. With wine or cocktails, the rhythm is more drawn out—you’re drinking at your own pace, possibly with different drinks in hand, the flow of conversation taking priority over the drink itself. A shot, on the other hand, has a clear rhythm: you pick up the cup, you raise it, you drink it, and you place it down. It’s an immediate experience.

A shot is like an exclamation point in the middle of a conversation. It’s a punctuation mark that’s often preceded by a toast, a shared memory, or a word of congratulations. It’s a verbal bookmark before you experience something together. And when you take that shot, you both live in that moment for just a second, perfectly synchronized.

A Universal Tradition

Shots are not just a modern phenomenon, they are a global tradition. Whether it’s vodka in Russia, soju in Korea, tequila in Mexico, or aquavit in Scandinavia, shots are a way of sharing a moment with someone, marking something important, or celebrating life. This shared tradition exists in many forms, and no matter the drink, the intent remains the same: connection, camaraderie, and celebration.

Zakuska Vodka: Made for the Moment

I started this brand, in part, because one of my love languages with my dad is sitting down together, having some shots, talking about the mundane with as much passion as we can muster and listening to him remember old jokes. I made this vodka with that in mind. It’s crafted with a unique blend of soft red winter wheat and corn, Zakuska offers a smooth, flavorful shot that enhances the experience. It’s not just about the act of drinking; it’s about the experience—the connection, the shared moment, and the ritual that turns a simple shot into something meaningful.

What is unfiltered vodka

Unfiltered vodka is a distinct category of vodka that bypasses the final filtration process typically used in vodka production. As a result, it retains more of its natural flavors, giving it a richer and more robust taste compared to its filtered counterparts. The absence of extra filtration allows the vodka to maintain its character, offering a fuller tasting experience that highlights the ingredients used in its creation, such as wheat, corn, or rye.

While most vodkas undergo multiple filtration processes to remove impurities and achieve a neutral taste, unfiltered vodka embraces the complexities that come with leaving those elements intact. This unique approach has gained popularity among vodka enthusiasts seeking something with more depth and personality.

A Brief History of Vodka Filtration

Historically, vodka was made to be as neutral as possible. It was considered a "blank canvas" for cocktails, devoid of any distinctive flavor, aroma, or character. To achieve this, vodka went through rigorous filtration processes to remove any impurities left from the distillation process. Charcoal filtration, among other methods, became the standard for producing a crystal-clear and tasteless spirit.

The history of charcoal filtration in vodka can be traced back to the 18th century. While the process of filtering spirits using charcoal predates vodka, the method became particularly associated with vodka production in the early 1900s. Charcoal is especially effective in filtering out impurities because it has a vast surface area that absorbs undesirable compounds, leaving behind a purer and more neutral liquid.

One of the most famous early proponents of charcoal filtration was Pyotr Smirnov, the founder of the Smirnoff vodka brand in Russia. In the late 1800s, Smirnov began experimenting with charcoal filtration, which became a key part of his vodka production process. By using charcoal to filter the vodka, Smirnov was able to create a smoother and more refined product, helping to establish his vodka as one of the top brands in Russia. The use of charcoal became widespread in vodka production during the 20th century and remains a hallmark of high-quality vodka to this day.

The Benefits of Unfiltered Vodka

Unfiltered vodka offers a range of benefits that appeal to those who appreciate more complex flavors in their spirits. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Flavor: The absence of additional filtration allows the natural flavors from the raw ingredients—such as wheat, corn, or barley—to shine through. This results in a vodka that can offer subtle tasting notes of honey, vanilla, and spices, providing a fuller, more textured experience than traditional vodkas.

• Purity: Unfiltered vodka tends to retain more of the inherent character of its base ingredients. This means that each bottle of unfiltered vodka is more reflective of the distillery’s process and the quality of its raw materials.

• Fuller Mouthfeel: Unfiltered vodkas often have a richer mouthfeel, offering a smooth, velvety texture that many connoisseurs appreciate. It’s a departure from the often overly clean and sharp texture of filtered vodkas.

The Changing Federal Definition of Vodka

For many years, vodka’s definition under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) was strict. According to the federal regulations, vodka was considered a neutral spirit with no distinct aroma, taste, or character. This definition underscored the idea of vodka as a flavorless base for cocktails, and any variance from this neutrality was discouraged.

However, in 2021, the TTB updated the definition of vodka, recognizing that vodka can now retain some taste, aroma, and character derived from its ingredients and production methods. This change opened the door for more variation and creativity in vodka production, allowing producers to create products that are flavorful and reflective of the raw materials used.

Previously, vodka was expected to be a "neutral" spirit—essentially tasteless and odorless—making it difficult for distillers to showcase the full range of flavors present in their vodka. With the updated definition, vodka can now be celebrated for its individuality, with room for styles like unfiltered vodka to thrive in the market.

Unfiltered Vodka and the Modern Vodka Movement

The evolution of the TTB’s definition aligns with the broader movement in the spirits industry toward more artisanal, craft products. Distillers are now free to create vodkas that carry the distinctive qualities of their ingredients, rather than being confined to the neutral profile that once defined the spirit.

Unfiltered vodka is an excellent example of this shift, offering a product that highlights the natural flavors and textures of its base ingredients. It stands in stark contrast to the bland, mass-produced vodkas that dominated the market for decades. As consumers become more interested in spirits with more character, unfiltered vodka offers an exciting and flavorful alternative to traditional, neutral vodkas.

Zakuska Vodka: A Taste of Character

Zakuska vodka is crafted from a carefully balanced 50/50 blend of soft red winter wheat and corn, chosen for their complementary qualities. The soft red winter wheat imparts a smooth, slightly sweet flavor, while the corn adds a rich, full-bodied texture that enhances the overall profile. Together, these ingredients create a vodka with a distinctive character, unlike the neutral spirits of the past.

The tasting notes of Zakuska vodka include delicate hints of honey, vanilla, and fig, accompanied by subtle spice undertones that reflect the natural qualities of the grains used in its production. This unfiltered vodka offers a smooth, slightly creamy mouthfeel, making it perfect for sipping neat or as the base for a wide variety of cocktails. We hope you’ll give unfiltered vodka a try, we think it adds some great options to a category that’s been in neutral for a while!