A little water: Cheers!

The word Vodka comes from Poland and is first recorded in 1405. It comes from "Voda" meaning "water" and "ka" being a diminutive form. Therefore it means litterally "Little Water".

Interestingly enough it was originally brought to Russia as a medicinal drink!

By the way Whiskey also has a rather similar etymology. It comes from the Gaelic word uisgebeatha, which means “water of life.” That makes you wonder about the colour of actual water in the old days!