Never miss a thing from across Yorkshire! Get the biggest stories direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

MAPPING the world’s most popular spirit takes devotees on a crystal clear, 40% abv journey of the Baltic states and Eastern Europe.

In this much coveted vodka belt, vodka (Russian and Czech) or wodka (Polish) means water, so similar and pure, the alcohol never freezes but turns to a syrup-like form when poured straight from the freezer.

Made from water and anything fermentable, from the humble potato to grain or beats, vodka comes in two styles – clear or flavoured.

Aficionados will wax lyrical about the joys of drinking vodka neat and chilled, while cocktail hounds make this neutral spirit a staple in their Vodka Martini, Cosmopolitan or Bloody Mary.

More recently, artisan methods have extended the vodka trail to the UK, and Chase, the first English potato vodka (recently voted ‘the best vodka in the world’ by the San Francisco world spirits competition) has introduced a wonderful infusion to its range.

Try the Limited Edition Chase Marmalade Vodka (£31.95, 70cl, www.thewhiskeyexchange.co.uk) which is marinated with home-made Seville orange marmalade, distilled, then marinated again with orange peel to achieve its colour.

Nicely jammy, sip it neat or with soda water as opposed to tonic to enjoy the bitter-sweet character.

Billed as the first botanical vodka, party-lovers Grace Jones, Kate Moss, crimper James Brown, Tracey Emin and Orlando Bloom have all been spotted sipping the trendy Pincer Vodka (£26.75, 70cl, Drinkon.com). A Scottish grain vodka infused with milk thistle (helps fight toxins), and elderflower to sweeten and enhance the delicate flavour. It’s clean and pleasant with herb notes.

I can’t promise you won’t have a hangover, but it’s definitely one to try with a slice of orange and ginger ale.

Highly prized, black truffles are normally associated with flavoured oils or pasta dishes, so foodies will be in their element when they try Black Moth Vodka (£34, 70cl, www.blackmothvodka.com), an English grain vodka infused with Perigord truffles. Distilled five times and filtered three, Black Moth has a silky mouth-feel and a piquant finish. If you don’t fancy this versatile spirit straight up, visit the website for some gourmet inspired cocktail recipes.

From the Czech Republic, Babicka Original Wormwood Vodka (£26.85, 75cl, Wine Rack) is a luxurious single grain vodka infused with wormwood (absinthe) and herbs – a supposed aphrodisiac mix that’s designed to seduce your taste-buds. Smooth and creamy with a peppery finish, it’s very nice by itself.

Martini lovers are sometimes hard to please ... for a memorable vodka martini, try Potocki Vodka (£37, 70cl, Harvey Nichols nationwide), a Polish rye vodka with aristocratic roots dating back to 1816. Distilled only twice and unfiltered to retain its full flavour, it’s complex with a nutty aroma and smooth as a silk stocking.