Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka ( ) − colloquially shortened to Żołądkowa Gorzka or Żołądkowa − is a herbal

vodka Vodka ( pl, wódka , russian: водка , sv, vodka ) is a clear distilled alcoholic beverage. Different varieties originated in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol but sometimes with traces of impuriti ...

from Poland, and the leading brand of Polmos-Lublin/Stock Polska since 1950. The name translating as "bitter stomach vodka", Żołądkowa Gorzka follows in a long Polish tradition of infused fruit and herb vodkas known as

nalewka Nalewka (), plural nalewki, is a traditional alcoholic beverage from Poland. Similar to medicinal tinctures, it is usually 40% to 45% alcohol by volume, though some can be as strong as 75%. Nalewka is created by macerating and / or infusing variou ...

. The traditional Polish practice of producing

dates back to at least the 16th century and is typically done at home, but there are several commercial brands including Żołądkowa Gorzka. The brand has enjoyed popularity among consumers and has been introduced to international markets. In addition to Poland, Żołądkowa Gorzka is available in the

USA The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...

, Australia,

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Nor ...

, Canada, Germany and

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. In 2012, the ''Czysta de Luxe'' variant was the ninth-most popular vodka in the world, by sales. Żołądkowa Gorzka has received several awards, including the Oskar FMCG 2006 award, a CoolBrands award, the gold medal at Poznan International Fair POLAGRA 2000, the Grand Gold Quality Award en 2009 and 3 Golden Stars of International Taste & Quality Institute Awards 2013. In 2009, Polmos changed the bottle design for a more modern one that is still inspired by the original and traditional bottle. In 2011, alcohol by volume content was reduced from 40% to 38%, and in 2013 was further reduced to 36%.

Taste

Despite its name, Żołądkowa Gorzka is a sweet, amber-coloured vodka with a spiced aroma and herbal flavor. This is marketed as its "traditional" variety ('). The Żołądkowa Gorzka brand is now used also for other types of vodka, loosely or not associated with the traditional product, in flavour variations: * ''Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka z Miętą'', with added

peppermint Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world.Euro+Med Plantba ...

. Introduced in 2005. * ''Żołądkowa Gorzka z Miodem'', with added Polish honey. Introduced in 2006. * ''Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka Czysta de Luxe'', clear. Introduced in 2007. * ''Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka na trawie Żubrowej'', with

bison grass ''Hierochloe odorata'' or ''Anthoxanthum nitens'' (commonly known as sweet grass, manna grass, Mary’s grass or vanilla grass, and as holy grass in the UK, bison grass e.g. by Polish vodka producers) is an aromatic herb native to northern Eu ...

. Introduced in 2009. * ''Wódka Żołądkowa Gorzka z Czarną Wiśnią'', with black cherry. Introduced in 2014.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoladkowa Gorzka Alcoholic drink brands Polish brands Polish vodkas Products introduced in 1957