Try Zyr Vodka, Proudly Made in America

Zyr Vodka is more than a spirit—it’s a story of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering standards. Born from founder Dave Katz’s years spent working in Russia and his deep passion for vodka’s role in bringing people together, Zyr emerged in 2002 as a cult favorite known for its unmatched smoothness, clean taste, and devotion to purity.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the world was in disbelief. On national TV, bars dumped Russian vodka into the streets, and stores pulled bottles from their shelves. For Zyr this was a devastating blow that threatened to erase years of passion and craftsmanship.

Most brands would have folded in the face of such upheaval. But not Zyr. Fueled by a fierce refusal to compromise, a relentless spirit, and an unshakable commitment to quality, Dave Katz rebuilt the brand from the ground up— this time proudly born and crafted in America. What could have been an end became a powerful new beginning.

Today, Zyr is handcrafted in Illinois, from farm to shelf, using a proprietary blend of organic, non-GMO grains grown at Janie’s Mill, one of the country’s pioneering organic farms. At the distillery, every step is handled with precision—from slow, deliberate fermentation to deep cuts that isolate only the purest “hearts” of the distillate. The result is an exceptionally clean and flavorful vodka—free of sugar, carbs, gluten, and additives.

Zyr stands as a proud example of what can be built through grit, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to quality. This is a story of resilience—American made, American strong.

Zyr Gimlet

INGREDIENTS

• 60ml/2oz Zyr Vodka

• 22ml/.75oz fresh lime juice

• 15ml/.25 oz simple syrup

• Classic garnish: Lime

• Alternative garnish: Basil, Mint

METHOD

• Chill a coupe glass by filling with ice and water

• Combine vodka, lime juice & simple syrup into a cocktail shaker

• Shake well until chilled

• Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass

• Garnish with lime wedge or wheel

Moscow Mule

INGREDIENTS

• 45ml/1.5oz Zyr Vodka

• 20ml/.75oz fresh lime juice

• 120ml/4 oz ginger beer

• Classic garnish: Lime

• Alternative garnish: Mint

METHOD

• Fill a copper mug with ice

• Pour chilled vodka into mug and stir for a few seconds

• Add lime juice and ginger beer

• Stir it a few more times to mix all ingredients

• Garnish with a lime wheel & sprig of mint

Mojita Flaca

INGREDIENTS

• 45ml/1.5oz Zyr Vodka

• 1/2 of lime

• 1 tbsp of sugar

• 2oz club soda

• 8ml/.25 oz agave nectar

• Classic garnish: Lime

• Alternative garnish: Mint

METHOD

• Separate 10 mint leaves from stems and set aside

• Cut 1/2 a lime into quarters and place in high ball glass

• Gently muddle lime quarters to extract juice

• Slap mint leaves between your hands to release aromatics

• Add mint leaves to glass

• Pour chilled vodka into glass

• Fill glass to the brim with crushed ice

• Add 2 oz of club soda (or to rim)

• Stir or use cocktail shaker to mix all ingredients

• Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprigs

ZYR

After college, Zyr Founder, Dave Katz, spent several years living and working in Russia. There, he developed a deep respect for the tradition of vodka and its role in bringing people together. In 2002, he launched Zyr-- a cult favorite prized for its smooth, clean taste. But when Russia invaded Ukraine, American consumers pushed back, boycotting Russian vodka and clearing store shelves. Bottles of Zyr were literally dumped into the streets. 

Most brands would have folded. Dave chose a different path-- rebuilding from the ground up with American values at its heart. He brought production home to the United States and built a truly farm-to-shelf spirit rooted in American agriculture.

Today, Zyr’s organic, non-GMO grains are sourced from Janie’s Mill, a multi-generational Illinois farm renowned for soil health and sustainable practices. It’s not just an ingredient source, but a partnership with farmers who care deeply about the land. The distillation happens in Peoria-- a town with deep distilling heritage where every step is done with precision, (this small town once produced more whiskey than the entire state of Kentucky) from slow fermentation to careful cuts that ensure only the purest “hearts” of the distillate make it into the bottle. The bottle itself is a nod to the people who believed in Zyr, embossed with the words 'Zyr is a collective.'

The result is an exceptionally clean, flavorful vodka-- free of sugar, carbs, gluten, and additives. But more than that, it’s a testament to American farming, local production, and the resilience to do things right.