Vodka

A clear, mostly tasteless and odorless distilled spirit of Russian origin, vodka is the most popular liquor in the United States.

Traditionally distilled from potatoes and used for medicinal purposes, modern vodka is usually made from fermented wheat, barley or rye and is often filtered prior to bottling.

Due to its mild flavor, vodka has become a popular base for many mixed drinks and cocktails such as the Bloody Mary, Black Russian, screwdriver and various martinis.

The term vodka can be traced back to the early 1400s, when it was used to describe an ingredient in medicines and gunpowder. The actual beverage of vodka was introduced a bit later, also known as "bread wine." The original liquor contained very little alcohol, about 14%, which was created by natural fermentation methods. This continued until about the 18th century, when it gained popularity, especially in Russia.http://www.ginvodka.org/history/vodkaHistory.asp

Vodka came to the United States in the 1930s by way of France and was slow to become popular at first, gaining notoriety in the 1950s. In the years since, the varieties and brands of vodka sold have increased exponentially, as have the ways the liquor has been used in shots and cocktails.http://www.ginvodka.org/history/vodkaModern.asp Flavored vodka has become quite popular in modern times, with several manufacturers like Stolichnaya and Absolut releasing several flavorings, each suited for a different use or cocktail.