NationStates Jolt Archive

Any, a bit of background. My girlfriend is in France and won't be coming back untill after valentines day (oh noes :rolleyes: ), but still I want to do something special for her when she comes back whilst the school she teaches at is on half term. Partially as a belated valentines day thingy, partly as a thank you for helping me through my extended time of monetary difficulties and partly for putting up with me in general.

Anyway, I was looking for a place to a nice romantic dinner and hit upon the idea of taking her to a slightly posh Russian resurant nearby. I decided to check their website to see what the food was like, and whether I could afford it. Which was all good, slightly expensive, but I'm sure good quality and not hugely extravegent.

I then found my way to the drinks menu, and surprise surprise, it being a Russian resturant and all, there was a reasonably large selections of Vodkas on offer.

With there alcoholic content. It was the last two on the "Clear Vodka" list that caught my eye:

Spiritus Rektyfikowany 79.9 % (ABV)
Balkan: 88.0 % (ABV)

Now, two questions. Firstly, am I the only one of the opinion that these are ridiculously strong and no one in their right mind would try one of them. And Secondly, should I get one?

Though I liked the message at the bottom of the Menu:

Vodka Without Beer Is A Waste Of Money

Damn, that stuff is paint stripper.

"Rectified Spirit"? That doesn't sound good... :eek:

Do it! You know you want you I'm sure that your lady would love the gesture too "Hi darling I have missed you so much as a token of my appreciation I have brought you this lovely meal..and look some horrendously strong vodka... so erm down it quick... the faster you drink the quicker you will eat to get rid of the burning sensation and the faster we can he home... to bed!!" Great Plan I like it :fluffle:

"Rectified Spirit"? That doesn't sound good... :eek:

:eek:

Is that what it translates as!?

:eek:

Is that what it translates as!?
Yes.

How romantic.. your GF vomiting all over you.. :fluffle:

How romantic.. your GF vomiting all over you.. :fluffle:
It's enough to put hairs on her chest. :eek:

Yes.

No wonder they don't translate it for you (well - me and other non Russian speakers), makes me wonder about the other things on the menu now :confused:

How romantic.. your GF vomiting all over you.. :fluffle:

Hmmm, scally-tastic.

It's enough to put hairs on her chest. :eek:

Not an image I'd particuarly like in my imagination thank you very much :p

Is it only in Norway people drink 96%?

It's enough to put hairs on her chest.

Yeah, you know.. I feel sick just thinking about it.

Go for the pelmeni. Pork dumplings, probably served with yoghurt. Always a safe option.

Eh. I've had whiskeys that approached that level of alcohol content, but they weren't all that good. Generally speaking, those are more for people who like to get drunk really quickly than for people who like to enjoy themselves. Now, I'm not saying there aren't times where your goal isn't to get drunk very quickly, such as a breakup, but this isn't one of those times.

Do they have Kvas? The real shit, not just shandy? That's pretty good. Won't get you drunk (about 1% alcohol) but for sweet beery goodness, there is nothing better.

Eh. I've had whiskeys that approached that level of alcohol content, but they weren't all that good. Generally speaking, those are more for people who like to get drunk really quickly than for people who like to enjoy themselves. Now, I'm not saying there aren't times where your goal isn't to get drunk very quickly, such as a breakup, but this isn't one of those times.
Yes, those alcohols are for when you are breaking up. It numbs the pain, plus she will be too hammered to make a scene:p.

When my class graduated, we went to Croatia. A friend bought 96% Ethanol at a super market, mixing it roughly 2 pt orange juice 1 pt ethanol, and drunk it.
When we noticed he hasn´t been with us for some 2 hours, we started searching the camping ground, and finally found him - chattering quite happily, introducing us to his new friend, the tree - who was such a buddy to help him stand while pissing.

Conclusion: Don´t drink that stuff.

Personally, I like 80% rum, and wish that 80% drinks were available in this anti-alcohol-Nazi country.

Eh. I've had whiskeys that approached that level of alcohol content, but they weren't all that good. Generally speaking, those are more for people who like to get drunk really quickly than for people who like to enjoy themselves. Now, I'm not saying there aren't times where your goal isn't to get drunk very quickly, such as a breakup, but this isn't one of those times.
Vodka is bad...it kills your brain cells! We dont have much to spare!:confused: brain cell :mp5: :mp5: vodka

Does anyone know the % or absinthe... the rank green stuff you are meant to have with sugar. The only reason that exists is to get you wasted..and yes probably cause your girlfriend to vomit all over you... unless she is a hardened drinker :)

95% in Finland is crazy... Isn't that a little bit like drinking car window cleaning fluid? and erm where can you get some in NYC

Try it....with chicken Kiev. That dish is just not complete without a good, hearty shot of some vodka.

Personally, I like 80% rum, and wish that 80% drinks were available in this anti-alcohol-Nazi country

What!!! You can't get shots above 80% I taking it you are talking of the US here right? Not that i have looked but with my birthday soon I was counting on someone buying me some foul tasting shot and getting wasted! Right that's me back to the U.K to live for sure... maybe via Finland!

I generally drink Grey Goose straight and use that 80%+ stuff for mixing. If you can get it in a mix drink, I say go for it. But straight... I won't even do that and Vodka is my favorite drink next to Guinness Stout.

I like getting drunk myself, (I stick mostly to beer, though.) but when I tried hard liquor (100 proof Smirnoff vodka, 80 proof Canadian whiskey) the stuff is probably trying to rip the colors out of your esophagus. It tastes like industrial solvent and smells like gasoline. Don't drink it.

Honestly, I don't know how other guys can drink that stuff. The Smirnoff had me flat on my back for hours, and when I woke up I was sick as a dog all night.

Any, a bit of background. My girlfriend is in France and won't be coming back untill after valentines day (oh noes :rolleyes: ), but still I want to do something special for her when she comes back whilst the school she teaches at is on half term. Partially as a belated valentines day thingy, partly as a thank you for helping me through my extended time of monetary difficulties and partly for putting up with me in general.

Anyway, I was looking for a place to a nice romantic dinner and hit upon the idea of taking her to a slightly posh Russian resurant nearby. I decided to check their website to see what the food was like, and whether I could afford it. Which was all good, slightly expensive, but I'm sure good quality and not hugely extravegent.

I then found my way to the drinks menu, and surprise surprise, it being a Russian resturant and all, there was a reasonably large selections of Vodkas on offer.

With there alcoholic content. It was the last two on the "Clear Vodka" list that caught my eye:

Spiritus Rektyfikowany 79.9 % (ABV)
Balkan: 88.0 % (ABV)

Now, two questions. Firstly, am I the only one of the opinion that these are ridiculously strong and no one in their right mind would try one of them. And Secondly, should I get one?

Though I liked the message at the bottom of the Menu:

Vodka Without Beer Is A Waste Of Money

my flatmate used to date a russian girl who used to get all kinds of russian vodkas through her family... many 80%'s and the like. can't say i ever liked them (even worse with milkshake mix.... but thats a different story) but a shot or two won't kill you if you have something strong to dull the flavour with.
go for it! and treat her nice :)


though, a side question i just thought of... anyone ever tried vodka with essence of vanilla? cos that could be quite nice... just a thought

There is one East European Absint (The West European - and superior- kind is called Absinthe) which has more than 92% alc. vol. named Absinthe* Hapsburg Gold label.

*- If I remember correctly they use the Western name but it clearly is an Eastern brand. (= only star annis instead of real annis).

I like getting drunk myself, (I stick mostly to beer, though.) but when I tried hard liquor (100 proof Smirnoff vodka, 80 proof Canadian whiskey) the stuff is probably trying to rip the colors out of your esophagus. It tastes like industrial solvent and smells like gasoline. Don't drink it.

Honestly, I don't know how other guys can drink that stuff. The Smirnoff had me flat on my back for hours, and when I woke up I was sick as a dog all night.


I'm pretty much the exact opposite of you. I can't stand beer. But Crown Royal and Coke mmmmmm yummmm. But then again I'm a small town girl and whiskey is almost like water to some of us.

How romantic.. your GF vomiting all over you.. :fluffle:

Well, I've seen these kinda movies...well, let's just say some people are just friggin' sick, LOL ! I wish I never had seen those...but files on p2p aren't always honest at what they show.

Is it only in Norway people drink 96%?

If so then that would be top, I don't think you can get alcohol purer than 96%.

When my class graduated, we went to Croatia. A friend bought 96% Ethanol at a super market, mixing it roughly 2 pt orange juice 1 pt ethanol, and drunk it.
When we noticed he hasn´t been with us for some 2 hours, we started searching the camping ground, and finally found him - chattering quite happily, introducing us to his new friend, the tree - who was such a buddy to help him stand while pissing.

Conclusion: Don´t drink that stuff.

But did he ever drink strong stuff - and I mean more than 55 or 60%- before ?

Does anyone know the % or absinthe... the rank green stuff you are meant to have with sugar. The only reason that exists is to get you wasted..and yes probably cause your girlfriend to vomit all over you... unless she is a hardened drinker :)

95% in Finland is crazy... Isn't that a little bit like drinking car window cleaning fluid? and erm where can you get some in NYC

The correct alcohol percentage for absinthe is somewhere round 72.5%

The correct alcohol percentage for absinthe is somewhere round 72.5%

One of my favorite strong drinks actually, the western European kinds taste a bit like a superior Pernod.

Hmm, 176 proof. Still not as potent as Everclear.

Do they have Kvas? The real shit, not just shandy? That's pretty good. Won't get you drunk (about 1% alcohol) but for sweet beery goodness, there is nothing better.

Not quite sure. The computer I'm on now cannot read pdf's (nope, I have no idea why not either) and I'm not allowed to put anything on to it.

Though thanks for the recommendation, I'll look out for it.

I would love to try some that strong, i am a keen vodka drinker and my strongest was 63% strong stuff i tells ya, 90 + and im drooling!!

Now, two questions. Firstly, am I the only one of the opinion that these are ridiculously strong and no one in their right mind would try one of them. And Secondly, should I get one?Up to you, but speaking from extended experience with this particular sort of lobotomy, I'd advise you to consider it very carefully.

If real-life observations are anything to go by, the very last place you want to be when imbibing something that volatile, is near your lover.
The next to last place you'll want to be, is anywhere else. Because anywhere else almost inevitably means you'll be spending a good 20 hours in a holding cell at the nearest police station.

The problem with liquid lobotomy, is that one treatment isn't enough. Ever. And restraint, common sense & what have you, simply doesn't work when you're lobotomising yourself, or in the company of someone doing it.

Still, if your relationship, resturant & freedom of movement, somehow survives the experience, chances are that friends, family & bystanders will have something to laugh about for years to come.

Do it! Don't be a wimp and chicken out now! :D

Try it, Vodka is the greatest alcohol on the planet, he stronger the better.

If so then that would be top, I don't think you can get alcohol purer than 96%.

Well, actually you can. People use 100% ethanol all the time, for tissue fixation in histology labs.

Personally, I don't think that anything above 60% is meant to be drunk straight.

i think vodka that strong is meant to be diluted. We sell this polish vodka at work which is 79% and even says in big letters "rectified spirit' in english on it which we sell straight. but my mate that i work with who's polish says in poland they'd dilute that with water and then either mix it with beer or just drink it with the water. strongest drink ive ever had straight was zibanir in cyprus which is a clear spirit made from grapes and its 65% - its got some other shit in it which means its illegal - but anyway i drank a whole bottle of that in about three hours and im still alive* so i reckon a shot of high % vodka will do no harm.

*i did feel like i was going to die the next day and i had numerous injuries i dont remember getting but no long term effects :D

Play the blinders drinking game. After every shot, if you can still see you're winning. When you go blind its time to stop.

Ahh, go on, its not like you are going to be drinking lots of it. just have one on principle, if you start backing down from drinks soon you will be on shandy forever!

But did he ever drink strong stuff - and I mean more than 55 or 60%- before ?

Yes. He´s Bavarian. In the springtime, they have events called 'Wein-Fest' (wine feast), they have Volksfeste (people´s feast)all the year round, the centre of which always is the Bierzelt (beer tent). Beer is considered staple food.
It´s a culture of alcoholism, mostly, so:
Yes, he was quite used to hard stuff.
I wouldn´t think he had survived elseway.

Ahh, go on, its not like you are going to be drinking lots of it. just have one on principle, if you start backing down from drinks soon you will be on shandy forever!

Bah, that's fighting talk boyo :p


Though anyway. Normally I would try it, however this is meant to be a nice romantic night out so I have to think about my actions. Not something I am used to doing :(.

Though I probably will try one, the cost alone would stop it being anything more than a one off experiment

I'd say try it, but the only reason is bragging rights - and it sounds like you need more % than that for good bragging rights. Save your money for somethin' stronger and join your girl in something more palletable.

Haha, well for a romantic night out I would not advise it. However, on a different night with a bunch of mates I would advise you to fuel a trip to lobotomy bay with it :P

Nothing says romance like Russian food. Those Russians are consummate romantics. Probably something to do with their happy go lucky history. :)

I've got a bottle of labratory ethanol that is 95% ethanol that I drink from once in a while. It mixes better than it drinks straight, but it isnt that bad ice cold one the rocks.

For the rest of the thread (warning chemistry dork typing)

The maximum you can distill ethanol is to 95%. A mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water maxes an azeotrope that boils at a lower temperature than pure ethanol or pure water. You can get 100% ethanol (it requires special drying techniques such as distilling it from magnesium) but if left open it will pull water in from the air and tend to reach 95%.

Also make sure that if you are drinking laboratory alcohol it says USP on the label. That means that there is no isopropanol and also no benzene present so you wont go blind or die of bone marrow cancer.

Also make sure that if you are drinking laboratory alcohol it says USP on the label. That means that there is no isopropanol and also no benzene present so you wont go blind or die of bone marrow cancer.I just want to add that I've been drinking the non-USP kind for years, and have yet to suffer any ill effects (other than debilitating hangovers). Just drink plenty of water with it & nothing will happen... I hope.

Also make sure that if you are drinking laboratory alcohol it says USP on the label. That means that there is no isopropanol and also no benzene present so you wont go blind or die of bone marrow cancer.

Which wouldn't be very fun. Of course drinking or mixing this is brings with it a smaller risk than trying to destillate your own alcohol. So do it, it'll put hair on your chest :p .

Also make sure that if you are drinking laboratory alcohol it says USP on the label. That means that there is no isopropanol and also no benzene present so you wont go blind or die of bone marrow cancer.

Hmm, nothing says romance like bone marrow cancer down the line :p

Which wouldn't be very fun. Of course drinking or mixing this is brings with it a smaller risk than trying to destillate your own alcohol. So do it, it'll put hair on your chest :p .
Eh? It's perfectly safe to distil your own junk, as long as you know what you're doing.

Hmm, nothing says romance like bone marrow cancer down the line :p

Of course, one assumes that one will be able to establish the correlation between the two events. 20 years from now, any number of things could have happened and a little bit of benzene could be negligible compared to other hazards one is exposed to.

I'm reminded of the quote "Food for marshwiggles is poison for humans."

Well, actually you can. People use 100% ethanol all the time, for tissue fixation in histology labs.

Personally, I don't think that anything above 60% is meant to be drunk straight.

Uhm but 100% alcohol would immediately destroy itself. (Or so I have been told).
:confused:

For the rest of the thread (warning chemistry dork typing)


Whoo-Hooo! I am not the only one!! (Sorry....)

Here in America we have Everclear, which is pretty much pure grain alcohol (dries the spit right out of your mouth).

Wanted to get drunk one night and my husband was mixing drinks for me (happened to be everlcear and cherry kool-aid) drank about a half of bottle and was drunk for a day and a half- double vision, crying, vomiting, the whole nin yards......still can't drink cherry kool-aid to this day

i swear, I will never ever ever get that drunk again. my advice, stay away. i personally enjoy the taste of liquor, so i like drinking things, that while strong, still taste like alcohol and not burn my nose hairs when i smell it.

Whoo-Hooo! I am not the only one!! (Sorry....)

Here in America we have Everclear, which is pretty much pure grain alcohol (dries the spit right out of your mouth).

Wanted to get drunk one night and my husband was mixing drinks for me (happened to be everlcear and cherry kool-aid) drank about a half of bottle and was drunk for a day and a half- double vision, crying, vomiting, the whole nin yards......still can't drink cherry kool-aid to this day

i swear, I will never ever ever get that drunk again. my advice, stay away. i personally enjoy the taste of liquor, so i like drinking things, that while strong, still taste like alcohol and not burn my nose hairs when i smell it.Hehehe, yea. We call it liquid lobotomy in these parts for a reason :p

A friend of mine managed to have a bloodsample taken by the coppers on one occation. He was a bit past what's normally considered lethal. Other incidents include people being utterly convinced they had wings, attacks by various inanimate objects, violent vomiting on significant others, headbutting cops, attacking livestock, people pissing themselves & other random insanity.

20+ hours of utter drunken stupor should always be expected. I'll personally never forget (or remember, as it is), having a farewell party with some mates & still being so completely wasted that I had trouble standing up, more than a full 24 hours later, half way across Europe.

The first couple of times I drank shit like that, I simply couldn't fathom just how incredibly smashed one human being can get... Actually, it still shocks the shit out of me every time :p