Any true connoisseur could tell you their preferred vodka at the drop of a dime. After all, the notorious spirit has been a favorite since its conception all the way back in the 1500s, where it reigned as a common medicinal product within Russia and Poland. Over the past 500 years, the drink has become a staple in every mixologist’s arsenal — and now, New York’s Air Co. has updated it for a contemporary audience.
In the past, vodka has relied on grains like sorghum, corn, rye, and wheat to aid in its distillation process. To produce these materials, massive amounts of water, land, and time are required, making the process antiquated when compared to other environmentally-conscious methods that have become prevalent within the past five years. To bring the spirit in-line with its contemporaries, Air Co. has applied a process that converts air-based carbons into pure ethanol using a proprietary, solar-based electrical procedure. The result? An 80-proof vodka that looks, tastes, and feels like the traditional spirit, but with a reduced environmental impact due to its specialized “distillation” process. Right now, the 40% alcohol by volume vodka is only available at select locations throughout New York; but if you’re interested in acquiring some of your own, you’ll be able to find the carbon-negative spirit on sites like Drizly, soon.
