Which is better Smirnoff or Svedka?
It is well known that a staple of any bar cart, liquor cabinet, or party should be vodka. A classic and incredibly versatile liquor, vodka is easily mixable, can be found at both cheap and luxurious price points, and arguably even has some health benefits. Some of your favorite cocktails, such as Moscow mules, martinis (and all of its variations), and cosmopolitans, all use vodka as their base liquor.
If you have ever walked down the vodka aisle at your local liquor store before, you are well aware that there are a myriad of vodka brands, types, and flavors to choose from. Of course, there are two names that may have stood out to you from the others: Smirnoff and Svedka. At first glance, these two brands of vodka, with their colorful bottles and similar pricing, may seem like one and the same. But these two companies each have unique histories, product lines, and benefits.
Read on to find the differences between two of the most popular vodka brands in the world, Smirnoff and Svedka, so you can choose for yourself which brand to pour into your shot glass or favorite cocktail mixture.
Smirnoff
Smirnoff originated in by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov in Moscow, Russia, in 1864. Now distributed worldwide in over 130 countries, Smirnoff is one of the largest and best-selling vodka brands in the world, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Smirnoff is consistently awarded for its vodka, including winning a Double Gold medal from the San Francisco Spirits Competition (2009, 2017), a Double Gold medal at the 2019 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards (2019), and a Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2019).
Price Point:
$8.99-$16.98 for a 750 mL bottle (price varies depending on proof)
Available Flavors of Smirnoff Vodka
Available flavors of Smirnoff include Original (Unflavored), Raspberry, Blueberry, Grapefruit, Lime, Green Apple, Vanilla, Citrus, Orange, Watermelon, Cherry, Sorbet Light Mango Passion Fruit, Sorbet Light Pineapple Coconut, Sorbet Light Raspberry Pomegranate, Sorbet Light Summer Strawberry, Sorbet Light White Peach. Basically, if you want it, they’ve got it.
Smirnoff also offers Zero Sugar Infusions (30% ABV), which infuse real, refreshing fruit flavors and are also sugar-free and gluten-free so that even the most health-conscious drinkers can enjoy a delicious cocktail without guilt. Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions come in Strawberry & Rose, Watermelon & Mint, and Cucumber & Lime.
Smirnoff Alcohol by Volume
35%-50%
What Proof Is Smirnoff Vodka?
70-100
History Of Smirnoff Vodka
Pyotr Smirnov created the first Smirnov distillery in 1864 and later pioneered the charcoal filtration process in the 1870s. By the 1880s, Smirnoff had become one of the leading vodka brands in Moscow.
Under the leadership of Pyotr’s son Vladimir, the company flourished, eventually moving to what is now Ukraine and shifting names from “Smirnov” to “Smirnoff.” Additionally, in 1941, the head of the Smirnoff brand helped create the celebrated cocktail that is now known as the Moscow Mule, which uses vodka as one of its main ingredients.
Ingredients:
Smirnoff vodka is made from non-GMO corn. Smirnoff No. 21 is advertised as gluten-free and certified Kosher.
Production Process:
Smirnoff vodka is produced in 16 countries. It is made using a traditional charcoal filtration method, which was developed by the brand’s founder, making Smirnoff the first vodka company to use this method. This filtration method is thought to mellow out the taste of the vodka for a smoother flavor. Smirnoff’s current distillation method for its No. 21 Vodka is to distill the vodka three times and filter it ten times through columns of birch charcoal to remove impurities.
Other Smirnoff Products:
Other products by this prolific brand include Smirnoff Ice, a fizzy malt beverage with 5% ABV (available in Original, Original Zero Sugar, Black Cherry, Grape, Green Apple, Hurricane Punch, Mango, Margarita, Peach Bellini, Pineapple, Raspberry, Screwdriver, Strawberry, Triple Black (Crisp Lime), Watermelon Mimosa, and Red, White, & Berry flavors).
You can also purchase Smirnoff Seltzer, a bubbly flavored spiked seltzer with a 4.5% ABV (available in Raspberry Rosé, Berry Lemonade, Cranberry Lime, Pina Colada, Pink Apple Rosé, Strawberry Rosé, White Peach Rosé, Blackberry (8% ABV), Blood Orange (8% ABV), and Red, White, & Berry flavors).
A version of the popular Smirnoff Ice is the Smirnoff Ice Smash, a malt beverage that utilizes unique combinations of flavors, with a slightly higher ABV (8%) than regular Smirnoff Ices (available in Blue Raspberry + Blackberry, Lemon + Lime, Peach + Mango, Pineapple + Coconut, Screwdriver, and Strawberry + Lemon flavors).
Lastly, they make Smirnoff Sourced, a malt beverage made with real fruit juice, and an ABV of 4.5% (available in Pineapple Coconut and Strawberry Kiwi).
Svedka
Svedka is a much newer vodka brand, originating in Sweden. Known for its innovation in unique flavors, the brand was founded 22 years ago by Guillaume Cuvelier, and the company’s name comes from a mix of the word “Svenska,” which means “Swedish,” and the word “vodka.”
Svedka has won numerous awards for its products, including a Gold Medal for Svedka’s 80-Proof in the International Wine and Spirits Competition (2014), a Gold Medal for Exceptional Taste and Best Buy from BTI (2018), Impact’s “Blue Chip” Brand Award (2012, 2013), the Fast Track Award at Beverage Information Group’s 2011 and 2010 Growth Brand Awards, as well as Impact’s “Hot Brand” award in 2012.
Price Point:
You can purchase Svedka in Original (Unflavored), Strawberry Lemonade, Mango Pineapple, Blue Raspberry, Peach, Cucumber Lime, Citron, Clementine, Raspberry, and Cherry.
Svedka also offers Svedka Pure Infusions, which, like Smirnoff’s Zero Sugar Infusions, have zero grams of sugar and are infused with natural fruit flavors. The Pure Infusion line offers a similar number of choices to Smirnoff’s equivalent line, but Svedka’s options are arguably more unique flavors: Svedka’s infusions are available in Strawberry Guava, Ginger Lime, and Dragonfruit Melon.
Svedka Alcohol By Volume:
35%-50%
What Proof Is Svedka Vodka?
70-100 (flavored variations are 70 proof, which unflavored Svedka is available in 80 and 100 proof)
History Of Svedka Vodka
The brand Svedka was created by Guillaume Cuvelier in 1988, in the small historic Swedish of Lidköping. In 2007, Cuvelier sold the company to American company Constellation Brands. Today, Svedka is one of the most imported vodka brands in the United States.
Ingredients:
Svedka vodka is wheat-based, specifically using Swedish winter wheat harvested in the farmlands surrounding the distillery in the town the company was founded in. A one-liter bottle of Svedka utilizes about 1.5 kg of wheat and spring water. It advertises itself as gluten-free.
Production Process:
Svedka uses what is known as a “continuous distillation” process, which involves continually moving the ingredients. Svedka vodka is distilled five times with Swedish Winter wheat, then Svedka runs the liquid through high-performance purification columns five times to remove impurities. The vodka is manufactured in Sweden by an authentic agriculture cooperative.
Other Svedka Products:
The brand creates Vodka Soda Cocktails, which combine vodka, real juice, natural flavors, and sparkling water, and have an 8% ABV (available in Strawberry Lemonade, Black Cherry Lime, and Mango Pineapple flavors).
You can also purchase Svedka Rosé, which is vodka blended with 5% rosé wine, with a total ABV of 40%.
Finally, they create Svedka Hard Seltzer (no longer available on Svedka’s website, but for sale by other vendors), a malt beverage with 100 calories, and an ABV of 4.5% (available in Strawberry Elderflower, Tangerine Hibiscus, and Cucumber Lime flavors).
The Bottom Line
Whether you are looking for a wider range of flavors, a smoother taste, or a lower price point, you can’t go wrong with either Smirnoff or Svedka. Now that you know the differences and similarities between these two classic and popular brands of vodka, you can make the choice that is best for you and your drink.
Whichever vodka you end up purchasing, just make sure that you enjoy responsibly!
