Vodka is typically a Russian product, where it is often consumed pure. Mention adding vodka to a cocktail to any Russian, and you'll probably have the same faté as the three blind mice. Dmitri Mendeleev formed new standards for vodka, which made it 40% alcohol by volume. Interestingly, Dmitri Mendeleev created the periodic table, and with all those elements at his disposal, why in the world didn't he improve the taste of vodka just a little bit?