🥃 Swedish vodka (Svensk Vodka)
EU protected name for vodka made from spirit of Swedish wheat, rye, barley, oats or potatoes, diluted with Swedish water; 40–60% ABV, up to 2 g/l sugar.
Swedish vodka (Svensk Vodka) is an EU protected name for vodka whose spirit is made entirely in Sweden from local wheat, rye, barley, oats or potatoes. It is diluted with Swedish water, and this too happens in Sweden. Strength ranges from 40 to 60% ABV, above the general EU minimum for vodka.
Composition. The vodka is clear and colourless, with a light but noticeable taste of grain or potato. Methanol may not exceed 5 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol. It is usually not sweetened, though up to 2 g of sugar per litre is allowed. Water makes up about 40–60% of the drink; it is often ground water from glacial eskers.
How it is made. The main method is continuous distillation, developed in the 19th century: the spirit is separated from the wash, concentrated to 80–90% ABV and then purified in several columns to 96% ABV. Part of the raw material's flavour is returned to the vodka after distillation so that it is not completely neutral.
History. Distilling has been known in Sweden since around the 16th century; the drink was called brännvin, and the word "vodka" spread in the 20th century. From 1917 to 1994 spirits production was a state monopoly. The first world-class Swedish vodka was Absolut, which went on sale in the USA in 1979. The name has been in the EU register since 29 August 1994.
Why this matters to you. The name "Svensk Vodka" guarantees Swedish raw materials and water, but not smoothness or safety: it is a vodka of at least 40% ABV. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | vodka (cat. 15 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787); protected name |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | EU register since 29.08.1994 (PGI-SE-01926) |
| Raw material | Swedish wheat, rye, barley, oats or potatoes; Swedish water |
| Distillation method | mostly continuous, up to 96% ABV |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40–60% ABV; methanol up to 5 g/hl of pure alcohol; sugar up to 2 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Swedish vodka (Svensk Vodka) → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Distillation
- Made from
- 🥃 Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🍸 Vodka
- Related to
- 🌍 Northern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Estonian Vodka, 🥃 Norsk Vodka, 🥃 Originali lietuviška degtinė, 🥔 Potato vodka, 🥃 Finnish vodka (Suomalainen Vodka), 🥃 Finnish vodka (Suomalainen Vodka), 🥃 Swedish aquavit (Svensk Aquavit), 🥃 Swedish aquavit (Svensk Aquavit)
Frequently asked questions
Is Swedish vodka a completely neutral spirit?
No. The technical file requires a light but noticeable taste of grain or potato; part of the raw material's flavour is returned after distillation.
What is Svensk Vodka made from?
From spirit of wheat, rye, barley, oats or potatoes grown in Sweden, and Swedish water.
How strong is Swedish vodka?
From 40 to 60% ABV.
Can sugar be added?
The vodka is usually not sweetened, but up to 2 g of sucrose per litre is allowed.
Since when has the name been protected?
The name has been in the EU register since 29 August 1994; today it is protected under Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 Northern Europe — Scandinavia, Finland, Denmark and Iceland: a cold land of cows, Icelandic skyr, Norwegian brunost and Danish cheeses with protected names.
- 🥔 Potato vodka — Vodka from alcohol obtained by fermenting and distilling potatoes: in the EU 37.5% vol. or more, and the 'produced from…' statement is not required.
- 🥃 Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin — Ethyl alcohol made only from agricultural raw materials such as grain, potatoes, molasses or grapes; under EU law at least 96% ABV with strict limits on impurities. The base of vodka, gin and liqueurs.
- 🥃 Estonian Vodka — EU protected name for vodka made in Estonia from spirit of local rye, wheat and/or potatoes and Estonian drinking water; at least 40% ABV, with no sugar or artificial additives.
Similar
🥃 Finnish vodka (Suomalainen Vodka) · 🥃 Estonian Vodka · 🥃 Originali lietuviška degtinė · 🥃 Norsk Vodka · 🥃 Swedish aquavit (Svensk Aquavit) · 🍸 Polish vodka (Polska Wódka)
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- European Commission, eAmbrosia GI register — technical file PGI-SE-01926 'Svensk Vodka / Swedish Vodka' (Ares(2018)217651): 40–60 % vol., methanol max. 5 g/hl of pure alcohol, sucrose max. 2 g/l; ethyl alcohol from Swedish wheat, rye, barley, oat or potatoes; continuous distillation to 96 % vol.; rectification and blending with Swedish water in Sweden; brännvin since around the 1500s, state production monopoly 1917–1994
- GOV.UK (Defra): Protected food and drink names — Svensk Vodka / Swedish Vodka, spirit drink GI, Sweden
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III (geographical indications) as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Sweden — cat. 15 vodka: Svensk Vodka / Swedish Vodka
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks: Annex I, cat. 15 vodka (ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, min. 37.5 % vol.)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)