Vodka, which means "water" in Slavic languages, is a type of spirit originally distilled from fermented wheat mash; however rye, potatoes and corn mash are also used. Though it came out of Eastern European countries, it is the most popular liquor in the United States, according to Food and Beverage Underground. Vodka is utilized to create a variety of cocktails and martinis, including Bloody Marys and fruit cocktails.

While gin is traditionally used to create martinis, vodka may also be used. Classic martinis can be made using chilled vodka of choice with a dash of vermouth and selected garnish such as olives, lemon twist or an onion. Appletinis use chilled vodka, apple schnapps and a splash of apple juice with a cherry garnish. Blood martinis can be made using citron-flavored vodka, blackberry syrup, ginger liqueur and dark grape juice to make a blood-red drink.

Vodka is used to make Bloody Marys and their variations. Standard Bloody Marys utilize vodka, tomato juice, hot sauce, celery salt, pepper, horseradish (optional), bitters and Worcestershire Sauce, though Bloody Mary mixes are also available. Garnishes can include celery as well as lemon and lime. A Wasabi Bloody Mary uses lime juice and wasabi in addition to vodka, tomato juice, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. The Bloody Bull is a variation of the Bloody Mary that uses canned concentrated bouillon, fresh pepper, green onion, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, vodka and hot sauce.

In addition to the classic screwdriver, or orange juice and vodka, the liquor is used in a variety of other orange juice cocktails. Orange Crush is a drink that uses vodka, triple sec and orange juice while Orange Orange uses orange flavored vodka with orange juice. Blue Screw is a drink containing orange-flavored vodka, Blue Curacao liqueur and orange juice. Other orange juice and vodka drink ideas include cherry screwdrivers, which contain cherry vodka, orange juice and cherry garnish, and Southern Screw, which features vodka, Southern Comfort peach liqueur and orange juice.

Other vodka and fruit cocktails include Canteloupe Dizzy, which features vodka, Midori melon liqueur, club soda and peach schnapps, and Black Cherry, which contains Chambord cherry liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream, Kahlua coffee liqueur, vodka, half and half and cola. Magic Punch features vodka with guava, mango and papaya juice. The Tropical Binalada recipe includes vodka, sweet and sour mix, club soda, pineapple juice and creme de bananes. Nectarine and honey cocktails can be created using vodka, honey syrup, sliced nectarine and club soda.