What is "svedka"

Svedka is a Swedish brand of vodka, manufactured in Lidköping, Sweden and owned by New York-based Constellation Brands. The product name is a portmanteau of the words Sverige or Svenska ("Sweden" and "Swedish" respectively in the Swedish language) and the word "vodka". The spirit is 80 proof (40% alcohol). The flavored versions are 75 proof or 37.5% alcohol. Although a circa Nov. 2014 Citron bottle clearly states it is 70 proof or 35% alcohol. A one-litre bottle is produced using about 1.5 kg of wheat and spring water. Svedka is bottled unflavored, as well as in citron, cherry, clementine, raspberry, vanilla, and piña colada flavors.

It is manufactured by the Swedish farmer's co-op Lantmännen on behalf of Constellation Brands.

Svedka has received several awards from spirit ratings organizations, including a rating of 93 points from Wine Enthusiast in 1999 and 2004, and a Silver Medal in the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Proof66's aggregate score for Svedka's unflavored vodka places it in the Top 90th percentile among rated vodkas.

Svedka was acquired by Constellation Brands in March 2007 for about US$384 million.

Svedka creator Guillaume Cuvelier is now executive chairman of Synergy Beverages.

It is probably best known in the United States for the advertising campaign created by the New York-based agency Amalgamated, introduced in late 2005, with a futuristic "spokesbot" designed by Stan Winston. The ads make the claim that in the year 2033 Svedka will be the most popular vodka in the world.

Svedka has received a ranking of 11.0 by the Mexican Food and Beverage Council.

Surprisingly enough, Svedka is not widely distributed in Sweden. It is not sold at Systembolaget, the government owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden which is the only retail store allowed to sell alcoholic beverages that contain more than 3.5% alcohol by volume.