Instructions: 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 todays 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. Gordons 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.

Gordons Citrus and Tanqueray Sterling Citrus are popular either taken straight and icy cold as an apertif or mixed with juices or tonic water. Gordons Pepper Vodka is a perfect base for a spicey Bloody Mary.

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