Dry vodka: what it is, its history and fate

Dry vodka is a conventional name for molecularly encapsulated alcohol. It is produced in powder form. To return it to its usual appearance, you need to mix it with water.

How it works

Dry alcohol is the result of chemical manipulations. This is an absorbent consisting of cyclodextrins, i.e. cyclic glucose oligomers obtained by fermentation of starch. In simple terms, the powder consists of molecules with a large hole inside, where the alcohol molecules are placed.

On average, its content is 40-50%. When mixed with a liquid, a solution is obtained, and the alcohol content is reduced to 5-8%. The technology is called molecular encapsulation. It means that you can't mix vodka as such, but you can make a cocktail. Production costs about the price of sparkling alcohol.

The history of dry vodka

1966: Japanese company Sato Foods Industries Co., Ltd. invented crushed alcohol. She specialized in food additives and seasonings.

1967: Sato began production and test sales of various types of Alcock alcohol powder. It was officially stated that the products are intended only for commercial use, for example, in the food industry (restaurants, cafes, bakeries, etc.) as food additives. д.) as food additives.

1974: On January 15, a practical process for the production of alcohol powder was patented. The company began to promote the invention in the United States.

1977: In America, test sales have begun under the SureShot brand.

1982: Sato has launched sales of the powdered cocktail "Alcock-Light cocktail". They did not manage to go beyond the test.

2015: The "Palcohol" brand was announced for a future release in the United States. Powdered rum and liquor were promised to be sold wherever alcohol was allowed.

2020: Sales did not start. They promised to launch at the end of 2020, but the fate of the brand is still unknown.

The situation in different countries towards dry alcohol

1. Germany

   In 2004, it became possible to buy sachets with powder and tablets of the Subyou brand on the Internet. The powder resembled starch in appearance. The raw materials were supposed to be imported from the USA. Sachets weighing 65 g and 100 g had to be mixed with 250 ml of water. The alcohol strength ranged from 4.8% to 6%.

2. Netherlands

   In May 2007, 4 students from the Helicon Vocational Institute in Boxtel invented their own version of alcohol. The green powder was called "Booz2Go". A carbonated drink with a lime flavor and 3% alcohol content was produced. A sachet could be purchased for 1-2 dollars. Due to its low strength, production was targeted at a young audience. At first, it was sold to everyone, then, after realizing that it was still alcohol, only to people over the age of 18. The attitude to it remained twofold. They decided to put information about possible health risks on the label.

3. Japan

   In 1998, the same company that patented the powders continued to produce them. It was suggested to dilute with water sake. The powder was yellow in color and looked like crushed potato flakes. Taste properties did not differ from the original. Nowadays, only Japan has the rights to distribute dry alcohol.

4. Russia

   Since January 8, 2019, a ban on the production and circulation of powdered alcohol has been introduced.

Update: 08.06.2020

Category: Vodka an Moonshine