Vodka has humility. By law, vodkas produced in the United States must be colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Because of its purity, vodka will graciously assume the characteristics of whatever it is mixed with. It is this mixability that has made vodka the most popular distilled spirit of all. The Bloody Mary and Screwdriver have been perennial favorites, and vodka based specialty drinks, such as the White and Black Russian, Cape Codder, and Seabreeze repeatedly make the top ten list. Vodka has even established itself in a number of traditional gin drinks: Vodka and Tonic, Vodka Martini, and the Vodka Collins. Vodka means "little water", a diminutive of the Russian word for water, voda. It is commonly believed that the spirit originated in Russia sometime in the 14th century. In the days of the czars, Russion vodka was made from potatoes, whereas today's version is made from grain. Vodka was introduced in the United States during the 1930s and, in this country, is made from pure grain neutral spirits distilled from fermented corn, rye, or wheat. The higher the proof, the less the flavor. Vodka is also filtered through charcoal to remove any remaining hint of flavor. Gordon's Vodka, produced and bottled domestically, is the third-largest brand in the United States. Tanqueray Sterling is imported from England and packaged in a frosted bottle that is twin to its sister gin brand. There are also specialty vodkas that are flavored with lemon, lime, or other fruit, mint, pepper, and even buffalo grass. Flavored vodkas, especially lemon, are particularly appealing to consumers looking for lighter-tasting mixed drinks. Gordon's Citrus and Tanqueray Sterling Citrus are popular either taken straight and icy cold as an apertif or mixed with juices or tonic water. Gordon's Pepper Vodka is a perfect base for a spicey Bloody Mary.

Alfie Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Lemon Vodka
• 1 tbsp Pineapple Juice
• 1 dash Triple Sec

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Aqueduct

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1 1/2 tsp Curacao (white)
• 1 1/2 tsp Apricot-flavored Brandy
• 1 tbsp Lime Juice

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of orange peel.

Banana Punch

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1 1/2 tsp Apricot-flavored Brandy
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• Club Soda

Pour into collins glass filled with crushed ice. Add club soda and top with slices of banana and sprigs of mint.

Beer Buster

• 1 1/2 oz 100-proof Vodka
• Chilled Beer or Ale
• 2 dash Tabasco Sauce

Put vodka into highball glass and fill with beer or ale. Add Tabasco sauce and stir lightly.

Bikini

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Light Rum
• 1/2 oz Milk
• 1 tsp Sugar
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Black Magic

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Coffee Liqueur
• 1 dash Lemon Juice

Stir and serve in old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Black Russian

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Coffee Liqueur

Pour over ice cubes into old-fashioned glass.

Bloody Bull

• 1 oz Vodka
• 2 oz Tomato Juice
• 2 oz Beef Bouillon

Add all ingredients in highball glass over ice. Stir, and add a squeeze of lemon and a slice of lime.

Bloody Mary

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3 oz Tomato Juice
• 1 dash Lemon Juice
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 2-3 drops Tabasco Sauce
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. A wedge of lime may be added.

Blue Lagoon

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Blue Curacao
• Lemonade

Pour first 2 ingredients over ice in highball glass. Fill with lemonade. Garnish with a cherry.

Blue Monday Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Triple Sec
• 1 dash Blue food coloring

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Bolshoi Punch

• 1 oz Vodka
• 2 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 oz Rum
• 1/4 oz Creme de Cassis

Shake and pour over ice in old-fashioned glass.

Boston Gold

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Creme de Banana
• Orange Juice

Pour vodka and banana liqueur over ice cubes in highball glass. Fill with orange juice and stir.

Bull Frog

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 5 oz Lemonade

Pour over ice in collins glass and garnish with a slice of lime.

Bull Shot

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3 oz Chilled Beef Bouillon
• 1 dash Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 dash Salt
• 1 dash Pepper

Shake with cracked ice and strain into old-fashioned glass.

Cape Codder

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 5 oz Cranberry Juice

Pour into highball glass over ice. Stir well. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Cappuccino Cocktail

• 3/4 oz Coffee-flavored Brandy
• 3/4 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Light Cream

Shake well with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Caribbean Cruise

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1/4 oz Light Rum
• 1/4 oz Coconut Rum
• 4 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 splash Grenadine

Shake all ingredients except juice with ice and pour into collins glass filled with ice. Fill with pineapple juice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry.

Casco Bay Lemonade

• 1 1/2 oz Citrus Vodka
• 4 oz Sour Mix
• 1 splash Cranberry Juice
• 1 splash Lemon-Lime Soda

Shake vodka, sour mix, and cranberry juice. Pour into collins glass filled with ice. Add lemon-lime soda. Float a lemon slice on top.

Citronella Cooler

• 1 oz Citrus Vodka
• 1 dash Lime Juice
• 2 oz Lemonade
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice

Pour over ice in collins glass and top with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Clamato Coccktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Clam Juice
• 3 oz Tomato Juice

Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over ice cubes.

Crocodile Cooler

• 1 1/2 oz Citrus Vodka
• 1 oz Melon Liqueur
• 3/4 oz Triple Sec
• 2 oz Sour Mix
• Lemon-Lime Soda

Place first four ingredients in parfait or hurricane glass filled with ice cubes. Fill with soda and stir well. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry or lime wheel. Serve with a straw.

Desert Sunrise

• 1 1/4 oz Vodka
• 1 1/2 oz Orange Juice
• 1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 dash Grenadine

Pour over crushed ice in collins glass. Top with grenadine.

Electric Jam

• 1 1/4 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Blue Curacao
• 2 oz Sour Mix
• Lemon-Lime Soda

Pour over ice into collins glass and stir.

French Martini

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Black Raspberry Liqueur

Pour over ice in mixing glass. Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Frisky Witch

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Sambuca

Pour over ice in old-fashioned glass and stir. Garnish with a black licorice stick.

Gables Collins

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Creme de Noyaux
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tbsp Pineapple Juice
• Club Soda

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass over ice cubes. Fill with club soda. Decorate with a slice of lemon and a pineapple chunk.

Gentle Ben

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Tequila
• Orange Juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and pour into collins glass over ice cubes. Fill with orange juice and stir. Decorate with an orange slice and a cherry.

Georgia Peach

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Peach Schnapps
• 1 dash Grenadine
• Lemonade

Pour first 3 ingredients into ice-filled collins glass. Fill with lemonade.

Glass Tower

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Peach Schnapps
• 1 oz Rum
• 1 oz Triple Sec
• 1/2 oz Sambuca
• Lemon-Lime Soda

Pour ingredients into ice-filled collins glass. Fill with lemon-lime soda and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Godchild

• 1 oz Amaretto
• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Heavy Cream

Shake well with cracked ice and strain into champagne flute.

Godmother

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Amaretto

Serve in old-fashioned glass over ice.

Handball Cooler

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• Club Soda
• 1 splash Orange Juice

Pour vodka into highball glass filled with ice. Fill almost to top with club soda. Top with orange juice and garnish with a lime wedge.

Harvey Wallbanger

• 1 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Orange Juice
• 1/2 oz Galliano

Pour vodka and orange juice into collins glass filled with ice cubes. Stir and float Galliano on top.

Headless Horseman

• 2 oz Vodka
• 3 dash Bitters
• Ginger Ale

Pour into collins glass and add several ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale and stir. Decorate with a slice of orange.

Huntsman Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Jamaica Rum
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• Powdered Sugar to taste

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Italian Screwdriver

• 1 1/2 oz Citrus Vodka
• 3 oz Orange Juice
• 2 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 1 splash Ginger Ale

Mix and pour over ice into sugar-rimmed hurricane or parfait glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Jericho's Breeze

• 1 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Blue Curacao
• 2 1/2 oz Sour Mix
• 1 splash Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1 splash Orange Juice

Combine ingredients in shaker and shake with ice until frothy. Strain into stemmed goblet and garnish with a pineapple spear and a cherry.

Jungle Juice

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Rum
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 splash Sour Mix
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz Orange Juice
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice

Pour over ice into collins glass. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Kangaroo Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Dry Vermouth

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel.

Kretchma Cocktail

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Creme de Cacao (white)
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 dash Grenadine

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

L.A. Sunrise

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Creme de Banana
• 2 oz Orange Juice
• 2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1/4 oz Rum

Pour all ingredients except run into hurricane or parfait glass filled with ice cubes. Float rum on top, garnish with a lime wheel and a cherry.

Long Island Tea

• 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz Light Rum
• 1/2 oz Tequila
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1 dash Cola

Combine ingredients and pour over ice in highball glass. Add cola for color and garnish with slice of lemon.

Madras

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz Orange Juice

Pour into highball glass over ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Moscow Mule

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• Ginger Beer

Pour vodka and lime juice into coffee mug. Add ice cubes and fill with ginger beer. Drop lime wedge in mug for decoration.

Naked Pretzel

• 3/4 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Melon Liqueur
• 1/2 oz Creme de Cassis
• 2 oz Pineapple Juice

Stir and pour over ice in old-fashioned glass.

Nijinski Blini

• 1 oz Vodka
• 2 oz Pureed Peaches
• 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 splash Peach Schnapps
• 1 splash Chilled Champagne

Pour into champagne flute and stir gently.

Ninotchka Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Creme de Cacao (white)
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Orang-A-Tang

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 splash Grenadine
• 6 oz Orange Juice
• 1 splash Sour Mix
• 1 oz 151-proof Rum

Lightly blend all ingredients except rum. Strain into large snifter 1/2 filled with ice cubes. Float rum on top. Garnish with tropical fruits.

Pavlova Supreme

• 2 oz Chilled Vodka
• 1/2 oz Creme de Cassis

Mix in red-wine glass filled with crushed ice.

Pink Lemonade

• 1 1/2 oz Citrus Vodka
• 1 splash Triple Sec
• 1 splash Lime Juice
• 2 oz Sour Mix
• 2 oz Cranberry Juice

Shake and pour into ice-filled collins glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Pink Pussy Cat

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• Pineapple or Grapefruit Juice
• 1 dash Grenadine

Pour vodka into highball glass filled with ice. Fill with juice. Add grenadine for color and stir.

Polynesian Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Cherry-flavored Brandy
• Juice of 1 Lime

Rub rim of cocktail glass with lime and dip into powdered sugar. Shake ingredients wth ice and strain into the prepared glass.

Purple Mask

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Grape Juice
• 1/2 oz Creme de Cacao (white)

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Purple Passion

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 3 oz Grape Juice

Chill, stir, add sugar to taste, and serve in collins glass.

Purple Passion Tea

• 1/4 oz Vodka
• 1/4 oz Rum
• 1/4 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz Black Raspberry Liqueur
• 4 oz Sour Mix
• 3 oz Lemon-Lime Soda

Pour into highball glass with ice, stir. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Red Apple

• 1 oz 100-proof Vodka
• 1 oz Apple Juice
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Grenadine

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Robin's Nest

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1/2 oz Creme de Cacao (white)

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Russian Bear Cocktail

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Creme de Cacao (white)
• 1 tbsp Light Cream

Stir wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Russian Cocktail

• 3/4 oz Creme de Cacao (white)
• 3/4 oz Gin
• 3/4 oz Vodka

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Sam-Tini

• 1 1/4 oz Vodka
• 1 splash Sambuca
• 1 dash Blue Curacao

Pour over ice in mixing glass. Stir and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of orange.

Screwdriver

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 5 oz Orange Juice

Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Stir well.

Seabreeze

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz Grapefruit Juice

Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Shalom

• 1 1/2 oz 100-proof Vodka
• 1 oz Madeira
• 1 tbsp Orange Juice

Shake wth ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add an orange slice.

Siberian Sleighride

• 1 1/4 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Creme de Cacao (white)
• 1/2 oz Creme de Menthe (white)
• 3 oz Light Cream

Shake wth ice and strain into snifter. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Sino-Soviet Split

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Amarreto
• Milk or Light Cream

Combine vodka and amaretto over ice in old-fashioned glass. Fill with milk or cream.

Sonic Blaster

• 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Light Rum
• 1/2 oz Banana Liqueur
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Orange Juice
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice

Shake and pour over ice into collins glass. Garnish with orange and lime slices.

Soviet

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Amontillado Sherry
• 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth

Shake wth ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Sputnik

• 1 1/4 oz Vodka
• 1 1/4 oz Peach Schnapps
• 3 oz Orange Juice
• 3 oz Light Cream

Mix all ingredients in shaker. Add ice, shake until frothy, and pour into stemmed goblet. Garnish with slice of fresh peach.

Stockholm 75

• 3/4 oz Citrus Vodka
• 3/4 oz Simple Syrup
• 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 5 oz Chilled Champagne

Shake vodka, syrup, and juice with ice. Strain into oversized cocktail glass with sugared rim. Fill with champagne.

Stupid Cupid

• 2 oz Citrus Vodka
• 1/2 oz Sloe Gin
• 1 splash Sour Mix

Pour into mixing glass with crushed ice. Stir and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Surf Rider

• 3 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1/2 cup Orange Juice
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp Grenadine

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Sweet Maria

• 1 tbsp Light Cream
• 1/2 oz Amaretto
• 1 oz Vodka

Shake wth cracked ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Top Banana

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Creme de Banana
• Juice of 1/2 Orange

Shake wth ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.

Tropical Iced Tea

• 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Rum
• 1/2 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Sour Mix
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1/2 oz Grenadine

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass and pour over ice in collins glass. Garnish with seasonal fruits.

Twister

• 2 oz Vodka
• Juice of 1/3 Lime
• Lemon Soda

Pour vodka and lime into collins glass. Add several ice cubes and drop a lime twist into glass. Fill with lemon soda and stir.

Velvet Hammer

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1 tbsp Creme de Cacao
• 1 tbsp Light Cream

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Velvet Peach Hammer

• 1 3/4 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Peach Schnapps
• 1 splash Sour Mix

Pour vodka and schnapps over ice into old-fashioned glass. Stir and top with sour mix. Garnish with a slice of fresh peach.

Victory Collins

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 3 oz Unsweetened Grape Juice
• 3 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Powdered Sugar

Shake wth ice and strain into collins glass with ice cubes. Add a slice of orange.

Vodka and Apple Juice

• 2 oz Vodka
• Apple Juice

Pour vodka over ice into highball glass. Fill with apple juice and stir.

Vodka Collins

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 2 oz Vodka
• Club Soda

Shake wth ice and strain into collins glass. Add several ices cubes, fill with club soda, and stir. Decorate with slices of lemon and orange and a cherry. Serve with a straw.

Vodka Cooler

• 1/2 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 2 oz Vodka
• 2 oz Club Soda
• Club Soda or Ginger Ale

In collins glass stir sugar with 2 oz club soda. Fill glass with ice and add vodka. Fill with club soda or ginger ale and stir. Dangle orange or lemon spiral over rim of glass.

Vodka Daisy

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Grenadine
• 2 oz Vodka

Shake wth ice and strain into stein or metal cup. Add ice cubes and decorate with fruits.

Vodka Gimlet

• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 1 1/2 oz Vodka

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Vodka Grasshopper

• 3/4 oz Vodka
• 3/4 oz Creme de Menthe (green)
• 3/4 oz Creme de Cacao (white)

Shake wth ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Vodka on the Rocks

• 2 oz Vodka

Put 2 or 3 ice cubes in old-fashioned glass and add vodka. Serve with a twist of lemon peel.

Vodka Salty Dog

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 5 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 1/4 tsp salt

Pour into highball glass over ice cubes. Stir well.

Vodka 7

• 2 oz Vodka
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• Lemon-Lime Soda

Pour lime juice and vodka into collins glass over ice cubes. Drop a twist of lime into glass, fill with lemon-lime soda, and stir.

Vodka Sling

• 1 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Water
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 2 oz Vodka

Dissolve sugar in water and lemon. Add vodka. Pour into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes and stir. Add a twist of orange peel.

Vodka Sour

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp Powdered Sugar
• 2 oz Vodka

Shake with ice and strain into sour glass. Decorate with a 1/2 slice of lemon and a cherry.

Vodka Stinger

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Creme de Menthe (white)

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Vodka and Tonic

• 2 oz Vodka
• Tonic Water

Pour vodka into highball glass over ice. Add tonic and stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Warsaw Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Blackberry-flavored Brandy
• 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

White Russian

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur
• 2 oz Vodka
• Milk or Cream

Pour coffee liqueur and vodka in old-fashioned glass over ice cubes and fill with milk or cream.