Vodka is a distilled liquor made from cereal grains, such as potatoes, corn, rye and wheat, or a combination of fruits and syrups. The word “vodka” stems from the Slavic word voda, meaning “water”. This gives you an idea of the cultural significance of the drink in parts of Eastern Europe and Russia, where it is by far the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage. Vodka has its roots in Poland and Russia in the late Middle Ages, where its first mention was recorded in the late 1300s. Some scholars argue that this hard liquor was first produced even earlier, dating it back to 700-800AD. In any case, vodka has been around for centuries, and for good reason.

With the majority of the beverage consisting of water and ethanol, vodka is one of the most intense, high alcohol by volume (ABV) drinks on the market. Most vodkas are at least 40% ABV, but with vodka, the sky’s the limit: some brands market vodka with an extremely high ABV of over 90%.

Vodka can be made from any plant matter rich in starch or sugar, giving it a high production versatility. Nonetheless, rye and wheat are considered the best grains on the market to produce vodka of exceptional quality. Distillation and filtering are essential to the vodka production process. Plus, vodka is often re-distilled half a dozen times to refine its flavour and increase its ABV content. Due to the dry, harsh flavour of vodka which some consider to be too strong on its own, it is known to be extensively flavoured, with some brands including notes of red pepper, ginger, chocolate and vanilla.

Your favourite & popular vodka brands on iShopChangi

Absolut is one of the best-known vodka brands on the market. You’ll be pleased to know that most Absolut products can be purchased on iShopChangi, at duty-free prices. Buy a classic bottle of Absolut Vodka Original, with its clean, sugarless flavour direct from the famous production houses of Sweden. Taste the subtle flavours of cereal grains and fruits to make the most of your drinking experience. Alternatively, get a bottle of Absolut Citron Vodka, which brings a dose of zest to your palate with lemon, lime and citrus flavours blended in beautifully. You might just prefer these sweet citrusy flavours to the original! If you’re not sure which to buy, the mini vodka bottle pack of five is a great starting point.

Vodka brands like Grey Goose and 23rd Street Distillery are better options for tipplers who aren’t new to the scene. Grey Goose takes its wheat from the French bread basket region of Picardy, meaning the vodka you get has been distilled from some of the finest quality grains in the world. A bottle of Grey Goose Original should start you off nicely. Meanwhile, 23rd Street Distillery’s signature bottle is shipped direct out of Australia’s sugarcane regions. Distilled five times and filtered through charcoal, this vodka combines exquisite sweetness with delicate, earthy flavours you’ll love.

Snazzy vodka cocktails and recipes to try at home

Vodka is commonly served straight, in shots, or mixed into cocktails. Martinis such as the Vodka Martini and Espresso Martini make heavy use of vodka. Vodka Martinis are made with vodka and vermouth, garnished with olives to finish. The signature drink of James Bond, you’ll be in good company ordering a serve shaken, not stirred. To add some pep to your night, order an Espresso Martini, which consists of vodka, coffee and coffee liqueur. Because coffee is a stimulant, be ready to stay up a little when you indulge in this concoction!

Popular alternatives to the Martini include the Cosmopolitan and the Bloody Mary. Cosmopolitans include vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime, making it a tangy, citrusy beverage perfect for hot summer days. Bloody Marys, meanwhile, are a strong tasting cocktail of vodka, tomato juice and an exciting blend of spices such as Worcestershire sauce, garlic, horseradish, celery, olives, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, lime juice and celery salt.

Offspring of the blue agave plant of Mexico, tequila is a sweet, spicy distilled liquor produced exclusively in the Mexican state of Jalisco and its surroundings. First produced in the 16th century in the settlement of Tequila – from which the drink gets its name – tequila was initially produced by Spanish conquistadors when they ran out of their own brandy supplies. However, it wasn’t until 1600 that tequila’s mass production got under way, in the region’s first factory in Jalisco. Interestingly, production techniques have not changed much since those initial days. The majority of harvesting takes place manually by jimadores, who trim the long stalks of the plant to reach its piña, or core. Piñas are then baked in large ovens for hours on end, before being shredded and mashed with traditional stones. The extracted juice which comes from the mashing is then poured into vats made of wood or steel for fermentation, after which the wort is distilled twice to produce the signature flavour of tequila. The flavour which results will depend on the location the agave plant was sourced from – the valley or the highlands – the unique fermentation and distillation processes of each distillery, as well as how long the tequila has been aged for.

To this day, tequila remains an iconic part of national Mexican culture, with the third Saturday of March being designated as National Tequila Day. A party favourite, tequila has caught on as a worldwide phenomenon, and is popular in bars on its own and in cocktails.

Which brands of tequila should I go with?

The good news is iShopChangi houses all your favourite and popular tequila brands at duty-free prices. You can get brands like Patron, Don Julio and 1800 Tequila. Tequila is sold based on age, with everything from the months-old Reposado to the Anejo or “vintage” tequilas, aged between one and three years.

For Anejo bottles, try Patron Anejo and notice the subtle qualities of oak wood, vanilla, raisins, honey and caramel, blending together to create an overall creamy, gentle taste. You can also buy a bottle of Don Julio Anejo, replete with notes of vanilla, butterscotch and wild honey. Don Julio is one of Mexico’s largest tequila producers, both by volume of output and economic value. The brand has a religious dedication to quality, a testament to its popularity in the country and in global markets over recent decades.

Those looking for Reposado bottles can shop for a bottle of 1800 Reposado, making the most of the iconic taste of American and French oak barrels. Like the Patron Anejo, the 1800 Reposado features caramel overtures, yet is unique in its smokey, spicy undertones, giving the liquor a richness which is hard to match.

How can I enjoy tequila?

While tequila is traditionally served neat or in a shot with salt and lime, it can also be added in a number of cocktails that are easy to replicate at home. The two most popular are the Margarita and Tequila Sunrise.

A bar favourite - salty, strong and intense, the Margarita is not for the faint-hearted. Tequila, triple sec and lime juice are blended in a glass rimmed with salt, giving the drinkers a dizzying zing as the glass reaches their lips. The beverage was popularised in the United States during the Prohibition Era, as Americans would travel to Mexico to be able to drink alcohol legally. Like most things, don’t knock it ‘till you try it. Snap up a bottle of tequila to see if you’re a fan!

Common alternatives to the Margarita include the Tequila Sunrise. This lighter-tasting cocktail consists of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup, and is thus renowned for its sweet, fruity flavours.

Rum is a liquor primarily distilled from sugarcane juice and molasses. You will find most rum producers in sugar-producing countries in the Americas and the Caribbean, as well as some in the Asia Pacific, such as the Philippines, Taiwan and Australia. Rum has a long history on the open waters: its popularity boomed after its usage by the British Royal Navy and pirates during the 18th century, where it was consumed as grog and bumbo. Just think of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, desperately searching for his next bottle of rum on a desert island. Rum has witnessed revolts, revolutions and nefarious black market trading: Australia’s only coup d’état took place over a rum ban in the state of New South Wales in 1808, while privateers and colonial governors traded the liquor as currency when coinage supplies were low.

In spite of its wild and infamous history, rum is renowned for being a warm, comforting drink suitable for most any occasion. Today, there are very few strict production protocols in the rum industry, which has led to an enormous variety in the taste of the beverage around the world.

Where can I find rum in Singapore?

You can buy a range of standout rum brands at iShopChangi, such as Captain Morgan, Sailor Jerry and Beenleigh.

Captain Morgan is named after the 17th century Welsh Captain, Sir Henry Morgan, who was known to spice his drink with vanilla and cinnamon. You can taste this essential flavour in their Spiced Gold Rum, a perfect introductory drink for beginners. Another sea-fairer you might be interested in is Sailor Jerry, named after the American Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, who was known for his tattoos of sailors during the 20th century. A bottle of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum features nutmeg, toffee, cinnamon, vanilla and a complex mix of miscellaneous spices which go down a treat at the end of a long night.

Beenleigh, meanwhile, is one of Australia’s oldest rum producers, with a history dating back to the sunny state of Queensland in the 1880s. With an array of white, dark, and honey liqueur rums, there is bound to be something for you from Down Under. Try their Five Year Old Dark Rum, and notice the elements of the ex-brandy vats and ex-bourbon barrels in which the mixture has been created. Finished with honey, oak and floral notes, this Beenleigh bottle will have you coming back for more.

What are the most common rum drinks?

Rum can be served straight, on the rocks or in cocktails. Many rum connoisseurs insist one way or another, but the only way to know your preference is by trying it many different ways.

In the cocktail world, the Cuba Libre is perhaps the most popular choice. It is commonly known as rum and coke, and is often served on ice with a slice of lime. Dark and Stormy features ginger beer and rum, and, like Cuba Libre, is also garnished with lime. Both of these drinks are popular orders at bars, as they combine the fizzy, sugary notes of soft drinks with the naturally warm spices of the rum. Meanwhile, the Mojito is a famous white rum drink of Cuban descent, which mixes the liquor with sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint. Uniquely blending spice, citrus and sweet notes, the Mojito is popular in summer, where it serves a refreshing late-afternoon cool-down.

Looking for vodka, tequila and rum in Singapore? Look no further than iShopChangi where duty-free prices make shopping a tad more fun. Shop for your favourite brands, including 23rd Street Distillery, Patron and Sailor Jerry, and get access to free delivery to Singaporean addresses with purchases of $59 or more. For more information on promotions, deals and exclusive offers online, take a look at the Changi Rewards programme, where you can also sign up to get 10% off your first purchase. Until then, bottoms up!