Budmo! Dima’s Cocktail Book Supporting Ukraine

Dima Deinega is the man behind namesake brand, Dima’s Vodka, an award-winning triple-grain expression picking up prestigious gongs from the IWSC, World Vodka Awards and Vodka Masters… and now, he’s also the man behind, ‘Budmo!’, a book of vodka cocktails from his homeland.

If you’re wondering, Budmo (pronounced Bood-more) means, ‘let us be’ and is the shortest and most popular Ukrainian toast, usually featuring a hierarchy of toasts around the table. Dima’s book celebrating the art of toasting features fifty essential recipes created by expert mixologists from Kyiv cocktails bars, celebrating vodka’s special place in the culture. As Dima himself puts it, “Vodka is an integral part of the Ukrainian lifestyle with generations of expertise and tradition behind it. With different regional flavour profiles, it crosses class and status boundaries and is suffused into the country’s culture, uniting the nation.”

Highlights include the Kyiv Mule, The White Ukrainian, the Beetroot Bloody Mary and Parovoz Bar’s Green Pea Cocktail, a smoothly shaken cocktail entwining the richness of Dima’s Vodka with green pea shoots and celery bitters! You even get a QR code to walk you through making each one, as well as insight into the exciting Ukrainian bar scene, vodka infusions (nalyvkas), traditional pickles and beautiful accompanying photos.

Most importantly, a minimum of £5 from every purchase goes towards First Aid Ukraine in their time of need, and you can purchase the book on its own for £25 or combine it with a gorgeous bottle of Dima’s for £55 (the perfect star of the show for your vodka cocktails).

Super inventive recipes, stunning Vodka, and the opportunity to support and celebrate Ukraine – Budmo to that we say.

If it sounds like it’s up your street, please visit Dima’s website to learn more about their premium products and purchase the cocktail book!

Dima's Vodka - Excellence in a Bottle

Words by Colin Hampden-White

I judge spirits for the IWSC including vodka. Technically speaking, a vodka should get a high score if it is clean and clear meaning there is very little flavour, and it is smooth with good clarity. Every year this brings about a conversation between the judges regarding vodka which has flavour. Not that the vodka is flavoured, but that there is a positive flavour. This can reflect the materials the vodka has been made from, for example, an earthy flavour where the vodka has been made of potatoes, or a light cereal note when made from wheat. The texture also comes into play with vodka being creamy in texture being scored highly. The general consensus between judges these days is that a clear clean vodka gets a high score, but a vodka that has great texture and taste, as well as clarity, will get an even higher score.

This brings me to a vodka that has won medals recently and as it was tasted blind, I only got to drink it under its brand name relatively recently. Good friend Douglas Blyde suggested I try Dima’s Vodka. A Ukrainian vodka created by its namesake Dima Deinega. Dima, although brought up in the UK is from Ukraine and has a passion for vodka.

What Does Dima’s Vodka Taste Like?

Dima’s Vodka is made from three types of organic grain. Wheat, Rye and Barley. These three grains give the vodka flavour without the vodka tasting like it has been flavoured in any way. The flavours are subtle but include a nuttiness on the nose together with a biscuit aroma. The palate brings in rye bread and hints of vanilla, a cereal earthiness and is sweet with fabulous viscosity allowing the spirit to be held on the palate to warm and develop. The finish brings in a liquorish note alongside the nutty flavour and there is a light chilli spice. This spirit can be savoured and is very flexible.

How Should I Drink Dima’s Vodka?

It makes a great base for cocktails as it can stand up to other favours well. Chilled it makes a great martini and keeping a bottle in the freezer is an excellent idea. However, in Ukraine, they eat pickles with vodka and a small, chilled pickle alongside a neat shot of Dima’s Vodka is a great way to experience the flavours of the vodka as the sweet flavours are cut by the salty and crunchy pickle.

It’s not often I single out specific products for praise, but I will continue to do so if a product really stands out as excellent in its category, and Dima’s Vodka certainly does that.

If you would like to support the people of Ukraine during this terrible time, please have a look at the following links:

British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal – Red Cross is raising funds and supplies for those affected. By donating you will help get food, water, medical supplies, clothes and shelter to those who need it. 

savelife.in.ua – This Ukrainian non-governmental organisation is urging people to donate to help.

The Ukrainian Institute London has also put together a really helpful list of different ways in which you can help Ukraine and its people.

Looking for something else to read? Why not check out The World’s Best Vodka or The Best Value Vodka for Martinis?

The World's Best Vodka

Vodka, vodka, vodka. From university student to master mixologist, this clear spirit has been a bar staple for over 100 years*. Vodka spans generations, types of drinkers, and now - the world. While its origins are still firmly rooted in Russia and Eastern Europe, distilleries are popping up all over the shop. Even wine giants such as Italy are getting on the Vodka Express. So, as you step onboard today, allow us to be your tour guides showcasing the best vodkas from across the globe. Stand clear o’ the doors and bottoms up!

*Fun Cocktail Party Fact: The first recorded vodka cocktail recipe is from 1911, originating from the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans. This cocktail was aptly named ‘the Russian Cocktail’ and was a mix of vodka and rowanberry juice. 

The Best Russian Vodka

Tovaritch! Russian Vodka

Wow! Tovaritch! We’re not just really excited about vodka, this Russian brand does actually have an exclamation mark in its name. They’re not just being bolshy either, for the rich history and delicious taste of Tovaritch! is definitely enough to warrant a good exclamation mark. Tovaritch! is still made according to a family recipe hailing all the way back to the 1700s, so it’s had a serious amount of R&D. If it ain’t broke! 

The high quality Russian grain mix is distilled five times and filtered twenty to create a vodka with a subtle floral aroma and a characteristic ‘bread’ flavour. If you’re looking for a traditional vodka that will leave you reaching for your gimlet time and time again, Tovaritch! is the vodka for you!

ABV: 38%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £22.35

The Best Ukrainian Vodka

Dima’s Vodka

Much like Russian vodka, Ukrainian vodka is incredibly close to the heart of the country’s culture, meaning distillers never compromise on quality. Made from a blend of barley, wheat, and rye, Dima’s Vodka is velvety smooth with a rich and rounded flavour profile. On the palate, Dima’s has a silky mouthfeel with a hint of that rye bread followed by subtle notes of vanilla, spices and a cereal earthy sweetness. Dima’s recommends a somewhat interesting serve, with the brand adamant that nearly every cocktail made with their vodka include either pickle juice or be garnished with a pickle - the saltiness of the pickle perfectly complementing the sweet smoothness of the vodka. Hear that? Don’t mess with Dima’s pickle...

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £35

The Best Italian Vodka

VOGA Italia Vodka

When you think of Italy, your brain probably doesn’t immediately jump to vodka distilleries - but VOGA Vodka looks to be changing that. The wheat that makes Italian pasta so delicious is the same wheat used to make VOGA Vodka, along with spring water from the Italian Alps. Though a delicate spirit, the Nebbiolo grapes from Piemonte that are used to filter Voga give it a unique flavour profile worthy of its premium label. To fully appreciate this vodka, drink it neat or over ice alongside a generous slice of focaccia. Mmm…

ABV: 40%
Size: 1L
Find here: Available here for some countries from $38.99 but will be coming to more soon!

The Best Finnish Vodka

Koskenkorva Vodka

Though an expertly crafted and well renowned vodka, Koskenkorva is still produced in the tiny Finnish village of Koskenkorva, boasting only 2200 inhabitants. Since the 1930s, the people of Koskenkorva have been lending a hand in the distillery and working to create a superbly smooth and elegant vodka. The purity of the vodka makes for a lip smacking base spirit in cocktails such as a Moscow Mule, or simply a vodka tonic with a garnish of lime.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £23 // US $29.99

The Best Australian Vodka

Baxter Australian Crafted Vodka

In true Aussie fashion, this vodka is super smooth and easy-going. A unique blend of Australian grain and sugarcane gives Baxter Vodka a naturally sweet edge, though not enough to be sickly. It’s also additive free and gluten free, which is great to hear since that isn’t always the case with vodkas. Baxter Vodka is brilliant in a fruity cocktail such as a passionfruit martini or a raspberry mule, so keep an eye out for it!

ABV: 37.5%
Size: 700ml
Find here: $46 (currently only available in Australia but watch this space!)

The Best Canadian Vodka

PUR Vodka

Winning over 80 awards since its launch, it’s clear critics are crazy about this premium vodka. PUR Vodka is made with 100% Canadian ingredients including corn from Ontario and glacial spring water from northern Quebec, and it’s these high quality components that give PUR its sophisticated clarity. Drunk neat, PUR is resoundingly clean on the palate with light mineral notes, but offers a hint of black peppercorn on the finish. The cutting purity of this vodka makes it perfect for a drier than dry vodka martini that’s certain to impress the Bond in your life. From Canada With Love...

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £47.94

Looking for more vodka filled articles? How about checking out The Best Value Vodkas for Martinis or Our Favourite Vodkas under £30