It’s clear that vodka is beloved worldwide: It’s a centuries-old staple in Eastern Europe, Americans love it, and it remains the world’s second-largest spirits category behind only baijiu. Despite recent challenges — like stiff stateside competition in tequila, American whiskey, and rum as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine impacting sales and exports in the region — vodka maintains strong standing globally. The category experienced a 3 percent growth last year, with 9-liter case sales swelling from 331.4 million in 2021 to 341.5 million in 2022.
Earlier this year, the Spirits Business examined the top 10 best-selling vodka brands with case sales over 1 million in 2022. Of the 10 brands featured, half experienced sales decreases that can likely be attributed to Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. One Indian vodka brand, though, managed to elevate sales by over 30 percent — the largest increase of all top 10 brands.
While a few bottles on this list are known bar and household staples, we guarantee there are a few you’ve yet to try. Read on to discover the world’s top 10 best-selling vodka brands for 2023.
10. Soplica
Founded in 1891, Soplica Polish vodka is currently owned by the Maspex Group, which purchased the brand along with nine other Polish vodkas in November 2021 for nearly $1 billion. Soplica uses rye as its base grain, giving it a spicier kick. In addition to its unflavored expression, the vodka brand also offers flavors including caramel, strawberry, and plum.
9. Grey Goose
While produced in France and touted as a French vodka, Grey Goose was actually founded by American businessman Sidney Frank in 1996. Frank sold the brand to Bacardi in 2004, which still produces the vodka today in Picardy, France, with wheat grown in the region.
8. Żołądkowa (Including Gorzka)
Hailing from Poland, Żołądkowa is one of the top-selling vodkas in its country of origin despite a rough 2022: Stock Spirits, the vodka’s parent company, reported a double-digit decline in sales. Still, final sales data indicated the brand was still successful enough to enter the top-10 list for the first time.
7. Magic Moments
Produced by Radico Khaitan, one of India’s oldest and largest distilleries, Magic Moments had a massive year in 2022 and increased sales by 30.4 percent year-over-year. Described as creamy and citrusy with a hint of spice, the triple-distilled Indian vodka is made in unflavored flavored expressions.
6. Morosha
While Morosha was still able to secure the sixth spot on this list, the brand reported a 21.3 percent slip in sales, its first decline in five years. Owned by Global Spirits, the largest alcohol producer in Eastern Europe, Morosha is made with natural mineral water and is known for its delicate flavor.
5. Hlibny Dar
Owned by the Bayadera Group, one of Eastern Europe’s largest spirits conglomerates, Hlibny Dar has not been featured on the top-selling list since 2020. The Ukrainian vodka is made from natural ingredients and water sourced from an artesian well.
4. Khortytsa
Named after the famous river island of Khortytsa in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, Khortytsa is the top-selling vodka in its home country. Though it dropped a spot on this list since last year, likely as a result of the ongoing war, grain-based Khortytsa still remains popular with a smooth and fruity profile worth seeking out.
3. Żubrówka
For those unfamiliar with bison grass vodka, meet Żubrówka. Owned by the Maspex Group, the Polish vodka has a singular flavor profile which provides diverse notes of woodruff, coconut, and the signature bison grass that’s added to each bottle as a tincture.
2. Absolut
Founded in 1879 by Swedish entrepreneur Lars Olsson Smith, Absolut hit U.S. shelves in 1979 and has been a hit ever since thanks to its distinctly shaped bottle and wildly successful marketing campaigns. Pernod Ricard, the vodka brand’s parent company, reported a whopping 10.7 percent sales increase year-over-year in 2022. There may be some movement in the coming year, though, as the impact of the spirits conglomerate’s April decision to cease exports of Absolut to Russia is yet to be seen.
1. Smirnoff
Created by a Russian serf named Pytor Smirnov in 1864, Smirnoff has once again solidified itself as the world’s best-selling vodka brand, reporting a 6 percent sales increase in 2022. According to Stephanie Jacoby, Smirnoff’s global senior vice president, the brand’s growth is likely due to a focus on global drinks and socializing culture, including partnerships in the music industry with the likes of Billboard MusicCon and Live Nation. The vodka is currently offered in over 30 flavors and several ready-to-drink expressions.
