Shotka, cannabis-infused vodka

A cannabis-infused vodka will go on sale in France starting in September 2016. The spirits group Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits, which markets brands such as William Peel, Sobieski, and Fruits and Wine, has been authorized to sell its product in France and Spain.

Called Shotka Vodka, this product was tested in Barcelona nightclubs during the summer of 2015 and has just hit the U.S. market. This cannabis-infused vodka formula already existed elsewhere in Europe, specifically in the Czech Republic, where cannabis seeds are infused directly into the liquid.

There are no seeds here; instead, we’re banking on the scent, which will remind consumers of the sweet aroma of weed. However, the alcoholic beverage will contain no trace of THC, a psychoactive compound found in cannabis. The Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits Group has partnered with a Lithuanian distillery that began marketing the Shotka Vodka brand in 2007. In Lithuania, Shotka sells for €9.50 per 75 cl bottle.

The Vodka Guy, apparently a vodka critic, points out that the experiment is quite successful; the blend is smooth, and you can taste the cannabis. With an alcohol content of 50%, the critic notes that vodka connoisseurs will be disappointed, but Saturday-night drinkers will easily enjoy it neat or in a cocktail. The website of the Shotka Vodka offers a few cocktails and sets the tone: «It’s not a shot, it’s a gunshot.» Basically, take that.

A rather clever design—a dragon with a gun for a head—and a slogan that invites connection: «Promise me you won’t shoot me if I ask your name. Let’s dance first. Let’s say our names are Mary and Jane.» The slogans vary depending on the product lines, and the company is beginning to diversify its offerings with «Darkberry Vodka,» featuring the evocative slogan «Bang, Bang, you’re dead.»

This blend is believed to have originated from a cultural melting pot in the Middle Ages.  The Scythian People, who ruled from Kazakhstan to Ukraine via the northern Balkans, was a fan of cannabis, which grew wild in those regions. Over time and with the Slavic invasions, Shyth customs blended with Slavic culture, which has a slight fondness for vodka.

Théo Caillart