Admittedly, vodka at that time was different. It only contained maximum 20-25 per cent of alcohol. Vodka has been getting stronger as the time passed, therefore nowadays Russians would only drink vodka without any hors d oeuvres when they have none. A charka contained a single dose of vodka which initially contained ab. In the 19th century, when vodka reached today s level of strength of ab.
Russian toasts constitute also a separate subject.
After that the drinkers clink their glasses, knock down their drinks, take a bite at their zakuski, and refill the glasses, etc. As the Russian saying goes, the first charka comes like a stick in your throat, the second flies in like a falcon, the others just dive like small birdies . It s a Russian old and persistent habit dating back to the days of yore. It developed long before the advent of vodka in Russia, and it is reflective of Russians pagan cult drinking sprees in which they indulged in various occasions. Such sprees lasting for several days, even weeks.