With all eyes on the devastation occurring in Ukraine , it’s easy to feel helpless. To feel like the problem is overwhelming and out of our control. In these difficult times, it’s important to highlight the many incredible organizations that are doing the important work to help those in need. One of those companies is Ukrainian-based vodka ZIRKOVA — a brand that has been eager to share the spirit of the country’s signature drink with the rest of the world.
When tragedy struck, ZIRKOVA vodka sprung into action with a plan to donate 100% of their profits to the boots on the ground work that CRA-registered Canada Ukraine Foundation has been doing.
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Diply was lucky enough to speak with Katherine and the team at ZIRKOVA, via email, to learn more about their efforts, and their delicious vodka.
ZIRKOVA Vodka is offered in two variations — ZIRKOVA One Ultra Premium which is meant to be enjoyed on the rocks or in a fabulous dirty martini, and ZIRKOVA Together Ultra Premium — the first vodka to be made with cocktails in mind.
The idea for ZIRKOVA Vodka came from founders Katherine and John Vellinga. Katherine’s grandparents were Holodomor (death by hunger in Ukrainian) survivors of 1932-1933. Her family moved to Canada in search of a better life while keeping the passion of the Ukrainian diaspora alive.
”ZIRKOVA vodka is a purpose-driven brand, born out of a deep desire for us to share what we had discovered in Ukraine… I love my heritage, I love my culture, and I love our toasting traditions,” Katherine explained. Her passion is palpable, even through email, and her message is clear — Ukraine, and their expert vodka craftsmanship, needs to be helped.
“When Russia invaded Ukraine, we instinctively knew that we had to make a difference and we rushed towards helping Ukraine. There were many ways that we personally were positioned to help my family in Ukraine, our colleagues, our friends and Ukrainian people. But as a CEO, I know as a company, businesses can make an enormous difference. And what we are speaking here is what our business can do to help,” Katherine shared.
“That idea kicked in and that’s when we acted. Since then we have been 100% in action doing all that we can to help Ukraine, to help its people, and to help save the birthplace of vodka itself.”
Many people would be surprised to know that Ukrainian vodka wasn’t available for purchase outside Ukraine until they were an independent nation.
As soon as ZIRKOVA announced they were donating 100% of their profits to the Canada Ukraine Foundation, the support came flooding in.
“People from all around the world are helping Ukraine in all the ways that they can,” said Katherine. “The world is truly united in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!”
It’s heartwarming to see the effort from citizens across the globe, however, ZIRKOVA is not new to philanthropic efforts. The brand created the ZIRKOVA Vodka Experience “as a way to give back to charity and educate people about what we had learned about vodka,” Katherine explained. “We donate this to charities and have raised over $400,000 for Canadian charities.”
This generosity is the perfect example of Ukraine’s storied past— often referred to as the breadbasket of Europe, this plentiful nation is one of the most important producers of agricultural products in the world. “If the Amazon is the lungs of the world, Ukraine can feed the world,” Katherine wrote.
It’s clear to see Ukraine is filled with passionate people who take pride in their vodka. What makes ZIRKOVA different is its ability to truly cater to the customer.
“We are the first vodka in the world to honor people’s preferences, and how they love to drink vodka,” she wrote. “The Ukrainian in me enjoys vodka in its purest form, including vodka martinis, vodka sodas or just sipping it straight when I am saying a toast around a table.”
The spirit of ZIRKOVA vodka is so much more than a drink — it’s a culture, a way of life. As their motto goes, “Be Yourself. Mix Well With Others.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about where to find ZIRKOVA vodka and how to help support this amazing company’s efforts, please click here .
