There's a funny concept I've come to appreciate called "cultural inventory" which includes all of the things associated with a culture, which includes its language.
I think it's interesting that among the major modern language groups in Europe -- Romance, Germanic, Slavic -- the kinds of typical alcohol are also highly associated with those languages -- grapes (wine), grain (beer), potato (distilled) -- and their alignment with north-south/east-west differences.
Hard for potatoes to be ingrained in our vocabulary if they have only been widely known and used as food since the 18th century. And the association of vodka with potatoes is primarily a Western thing. If you don't specify further, vodka means rye spirit in Poland and brands that make it from potatoes specifically say it on the packaging.
I think it's interesting that among the major modern language groups in Europe -- Romance, Germanic, Slavic -- the kinds of typical alcohol are also highly associated with those languages -- grapes (wine), grain (beer), potato (distilled) -- and their alignment with north-south/east-west differences.