"You can dance." -Vodka

Fall Cocktail of the Week:

Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule

Heather Christo has created a masterful combination of apple, ginger, cranberry, and vodka that you simply have to make whether it be to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just your typical fall #ThirstyThursday.

In honor of October 4th being National Vodka Day, we are here to tell you that vodka isn't just for drinking anymore! Thanks to some genius hacks, you can make more use out of your vodka than ever... and then of course you can drink it.

1. Insect Repellent

To create the perfect repellent to keep pesky mosquitos and bugs away, simply mix one part water, one part apple cider vinegar, and one part vodka for an excellent bug spray.  Be sure to add peppermint, lemon, or another scented oil to improve the scent of the spray.

2. Deodorize Your Shoes

Having issues with smelly shoes? Take a spray bottle and fill it with a one part water and one part vodka mixture.  Once it's filled, lightly spray your shoes withe vodka-driven concoction and let dry.  This mix will not only mask the smell of your shoe but it will also kill any existing bacteria in a flash!

3. Lipstick or Oil-based Stain Removal

Are seemingly unforgivable stains haunting you? No problem when you have your trusty bottle of vodka by your side.  Soak the stain with a splash of vodka, let sit for a few minutes, and then scrub at the stain with a toothbrush or small scrub brush.  Voila!  Stain gone! 

4. De-rust Screws

Nuts, rusty screws can be a real pain!  Just bolt over to your liquor cabinet and grab some vodka. Then soak the rusty screw and the rust will simply wipe away!

5. Reusable Ice Pack

When you or your kids get hurt, you need an ice pack.  But the problem with ice packs?  They last for about 30 seconds before they melt or warm up and they aren't really flexible enough to mold to your injury. Vodka has a solution for you (doesn't it always?): adding a bit of vodka to your pack of water will keep the water from completely freezing and will allow the ice pack to be a lot more malleable!

6. Kill Weeds in Garden

Not feeling the whole controversial pesticide debate?  It's ok- we have another much simpler and more cost effective way to get rid of weeds. Use a splash of vodka near the weed roots and it will prevent further growth in a flash!

7. Vodka Gummy Bears

Sometimes you just don't feel like taking swigs of vodka.  And that's fine- but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy its healing powers.  Take a package of gummy bears and soak them in a healthy pool of vodka for two days then remove and allow to dry.  And there you have it- an animal-shaped version of the classic Jello shot!

8. Vodka/Cinnamon Mouthwash

Take a jar and fill it with one cup of vodka along with nine tablespoons of cinnamon, mix, and then seal and let sit for two weeks. After two weeks, you have the best cleansing mouthwash that money can buy (but you made it so it's even better).

9. Vodka Sauce

Another way to eat your vodka but without suffering from the sometimes harmful effects is to cook it into your pasta sauce- we promise, it's delicious.  Check out one of our favorite recipes from Food Network here or research your own, but it is basically a mix of classic tomato and cream sauce plus a hearty dose of the good stuff.

10. or Just Drink It!

Happy National Vodka Day, everyone!