The 6 Best Vodka Cocktails for Your 4th of July Bash

Known as "the water of life," vodka is the perfect spirit to liven any 4^th of July celebration. Although, vodka originated in Poland and Russia centuries ago, vodka did not make its way to the shores of the United States until the 1950s. However, today the drink is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the United States. Vodka is slowly replacing gin as the cocktail spirit of choice.

As we celebrate our country's independence, try some of these recipes to take your party to the next level. Although these drinks contain vodka, feel free to substitute your favorite liquor. HOWEVER, there is less risk of hangover with vodka, due to the reduced congeners (the element that adds the hangover effect to many alcohols). You can also experiment with various flavored vodkas. The idea is to adapt the drinks to suit your personal taste. So drink up and enjoy your 4^th of July celebration.

Yankee Doodle

1 oz of blue-raspberry vodka

2 oz of sweet and sour mix

1 oz of tonic

Mix the vodka, sweet and sour mix, and tonic. Serve on the rocks.

The Dawn's Early Light

1 oz Southern Comfort

1oz Vodka

1 dash of Club Soda

1 oz fruit syrup

3 oz Sweet and Sour Mix

Shake all the ingredients (except the club soda). Top the drink with soda. Garnish with a slice of orange.

Patriotic Cosmopolitans

½ oz cointreau

1 oz vodka

Splash cranberry

½ lime juice

Pour all ingredients in mixing glass half filled with ice. Shake and strain. For a fun twist, use white cranberry juice for a separate batch and add a few drops of blue food coloring to another batch. When serving, your guest can choose from the red, white or blue cocktails.

Stars and Stripes Tea

¾ oz Blue Curacao

¾ oz Gin

¾ oz Jose CuervoTequila

¾ oz Light Rum

¾ oz vodka

Fill ice

1 ½ oz sour mix

1 oz Sprite (or any lemon-lime soda)

Combine in a pint glass, shake and serve with a lemon wedge. This one really packs a punch. Too many of these will have you seeing stars and stripes.

Independent Waters (Can be altered for the Kids!!)

5 oz Vodka

3 oz Fresca

3 oz Lemonade

2 oz Orange juice

2 oz Pineapple juiceMix the vodka, pineapple, orange, lemonade and Fresca. Serve over Ice. This one can be made without the vodka for the kids