Whether it's happy hour or time for a late-night celebration, rounding some classic mixed drinks for the crew is still one of the best ways to make a toast for the night. Cocktails, martinis and frozen drinks made with traditional ingredients and an exotic twist give you a chance to drink unique beverages and try new flavors from the mixology gurus behind the bar.

From blackberry mojitos to açaí-infused martinis, here are some of the most requested bar drinks at venues across the country:

Cucumber Mint Martinis

Cocktail aficionados are sure to do a double take with this cool and refreshing twist on mixed drinks. The cucumber and mint martini is the perfect match for those hot summer nights mingling on the patio; it's typically made with fresh cucumbers, spearmint leaves and a hint of lime.

Blackberry Mojitos

Nobody really knows where this twist on the classic lime mojito came from, but blackberry adds depth and flavor to the ever-popular summer drink. Mixology experts are taking things up a notch with blackberry-flavored rum, blackberry juice and even dropping fresh blackberries into the bottom of the drink for a dense flavor.

Açaí Berry Martinis

Whether you enjoy your martini straight up or on the rocks, açaí-berry infused drinks are spilling into bars everywhere and spicing things up for the conventional-martini lover. Using VeeV, an açaí-based alcohol, instead of vodka adds a natural hint of sweetness to any beverage, the clean and crisp flavor for a satisfying finish to any classic martini.

Lemon Gimlets

Forgo the classic lime gimlet in favor of the lemon or 'fuzzy' gimlet made with a carbonated lemon-lime beverage, gin, lime and lemon juice and enjoy a taste of summer any time of year. This one can also be made with white tequila for your Mexico-inspired night.

Iced Chocolate Martini

Throw a party for your inner chocoholic with an ice-cold chocolate martini on the rocks. This dessert-like beverage is made with chocolate liqueur, VeeV (instead of vodka) and fresh cream and can be served straight up in a chilled martini glass for a tasty treat.

Written by Sabah Karimi

Making cocktails is something that any single guy or gal should know how to do. Imagine bringing home your latest crush and mixing up a drink that will knock their socks off. If you can wield a shaker and a strainer, you can make some classic drinks with a unique twist.

A cosmopolitan is a pretty easy and simple drink to make. Combine one shot of Cointreau, one shot of lime juice, three shots of cranberry juice and two shots of vodka and mix in a shaker before pouring in a glass. Now take that same basic cocktail recipe, tweak it a little, and you have something a little different. Simply swap out the basic vodka for VeeV and add a splash of triple sec and lemon or lime juice. The drink will have a sharp citrus kick to it. You can also make it with peach, raspberry, cherry or strawberry juice. Any flavor of juice will work.

The classic cocktail recipe for a traditional martini is another one that everyone should have in their mental file. The classic martini recipe calls for five parts vodka or gin and one part dry vermouth. We suggest using VeeV instead of vodka for a more unique taste. Mix the ingredients carefully in a shaker, pour into a glass and garnish with a lemon peel, olive or onion. Of course not everyone loves this classic martini recipe, which is why there are so many variations on it.

One variation on this cocktail recipe calls for sweet vermouth as opposed to the dry vermouth. This gives the drink a slight kick. You can also pour the VeeV directly into the glass and stir in the vermouth. Supposedly shaking the mixture dulls the taste of the vermouth, but this can be avoided with a gentle stir. Then there are those that pour a small amount of vermouth into a chilled glass, twirl it around and pour out the vermouth before adding the VeeV.

Another martini recipe calls for olive brine instead of vermouth, which is called a dirty martini. The recipe is exactly the same except for the olive brine. Martinis made with VeeV are particularly hot right now, and even the burgeoning bartender can whip up a classic at home. In the mood for something spicy? Omit the vermouth and substitute in a dash of hot sauce. Looking for a drink that's a little sweeter? Use sweet vermouth, VeeV and a splash of watermelon with a lemon peel for garnish.

There's no reason why these cocktail recipes can't be made at home. With a well-stocked liquor cabinet and a shaker, anyone can channel their inner bartender.

Written by Jennifer Eblin

If you believe the experts, whoever they might be, vodka is supposed to be one of the most popular hard drinks in the world. Up until recently, the various types of flavored and straight vodka beverages could make the claim that they are the premier mixer of choice in a variety of staple drinks.

Red bull, the college student's staple drink, mixes reasonably well with vodka; and who could imagine a cosmopolitan, vodka martini, assorted bar drinks such as the screwdriver, cocktail recipes, Jell-O vodka shots and other vodka drinks without, well, vodka?

Apparently the folks from VeeV are not buying into the old-world hype of easy vodka mixes, and they have come out in defense of those discerning bar and club patrons thus far condemned to the same old, distilled liquid made from fermented rye, wheat, beet molasses or potatoes. Instead, VeeV offers something so new and unique that it could not help but take the sophisticated centers of the hip and trendy by storm.

Already patrons in Los Angeles, New York and Boston are asking for VeeV by name, and why not? Consider the following: vodka is made from fermented potatoes; VeeV is made from the açaí berry, a fruit considered to be a super food contender! Heart healthy, loaded with antioxidants and from the famed Brazilian rainforest, the açaí berry beats fermented potatoes hands down.

The profits of different types of vodka go into the pockets of big business, but VeeV donates $1 per bottle sold to protect the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and to ensure that the açaí berries are not over harvested. Ecologically sound, environmentally responsible and healthy to boot, once again VeeV sends the various types and brands of vodka packing.

Last but not least, the buzz on the healthy qualities of the açaí berry aside -- and never minding the fact that VeeV contains organic ingredients -- consider that it is a bona fide replacement ingredient in easy and complex vodka drinks. Replace the vodka in your favorite cocktail recipes, martinis, cosmopolitans or screwdrivers and live a little!

With the arrival of an ecologically sound drink containing one of the world's super foods, the end of vodka draws near.

Written by Sylvia Cochran

Will vodka soon see its last call?

R.I.P. Here lies Vodka, born in a common still in the European vodka belt sometime in the middle ages, died on the rocks in a nondescript cosmopolitan lounge at the start of the 21st century.

The body isn't yet in the grave, but the stone cutter and grave digger are standing by.

It's been a long time since straight vodka (or vodka drunk "neat," as they say in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe) has been considered anything short of yawn-worthy. Determined to postpone its inevitable demise, vodka quietly spirited itself into a variety of trendy liquids in a desperate bid to cast itself as an essential ingredient for the nouveau social drinking experience. In its travels, vodka struggled to identify itself as cosmopolitan, pairing up with ingredients far from its pedestrian Eastern European origins.

But instead of reinvigorating its reputation, vodka became a laughingstock. Vodka's first effort to bolster its flagging reputation saw it latching onto poor Red Bull, the Austrian energy drink. Rejected by Red Bull, which packs a punch by itself and has no need for an albatross like vodka dimming its effects, vodka's desperation took a ludicrous turn. Knowing that it would never again bask in those glory days of vodka shots, vodka tonics and the staple martini, vodka scurried off to Vermont for infusions of (oh, please try to be sensitive and not laugh too hard) - cow's milk and maple syrup. Even vodka could see that the result was lame.

When competitor Brazilian VeeV hit the markets, poor, befuddled vodka simultaneously grasped at faint marriage prospects with South American guarana and Asian ginseng but was soundly rebuffed. VeeV, açaí fruit-derived liquor with acerola cherry and prickly pear accents, not only outdid vodka drinks in the taste and sophistication categories, it lured in remaining vodka loyalists with its eco-friendly aura. With VeeV boasting 57-percent more antioxidants than popular pomegranate and 30-percent more cardiac-protective anthocyanins than red wine, vodka seemed to accept its looming diagnosis and crept away toward oblivion.

VeeV cheerfully filled the glasses once reserved for vodka and innovations sprung forth. From simple pairings with lime and club soda to intertwining with cucumber, basil, mint and tea rose fusion, newcomer VeeV's versatility fed the perception that VeeV is destined to become even more ubiquitous than vodka once was.

And what of those whispered rumors of a last-ditch vodka comeback? No, folks aren't drinking vodka again.

Wine X Magazine reported in its current issue that some young Irish and Brits have resorted to snorting pure vodka through straws. Its VeeV folks are drinking. Vodka is destined to spend its final days in the dank, dark nasal passages of retrograde British Isles bar-goers.

Written by Carol Bengle Gilbert

Did you ever wonder why so many classic party and cocktail drinks are mixed with vodka? The clear spirit lets the color of the mixed ingredients show through, and vodka's neutral taste blends with the added flavorings.

But now there is a fascinating alternative to bland, old vodka. Experience VeeV, the new 60-proof, clear spirit with a tantalizing flavor of rich, dark berries with a hint of chocolate and a touch of citrus. And here's a real reason to drink to your health: a main ingredient in VeeV is the açaí berry, a super food with the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit. The other key ingredients, acerola cherries and prickly pear add a tangy zest with the benefit of vitamin C.

Drinks mixed with VeeV are smoother and more satisfying than those made with vodka. If you want to add sophistication with a new twist to your classic mixed drinks, try these recipes. You are sure to get compliments and questions about your exotic, new creations.

Electric Screwdriver

1 ounce VeeV

5 ounces fresh-squeezed orange juice

dash of Rose's Lime Juice

Fill in a highball glass and stir gently.

Red Russian

1 ounce strawberry liqueur

1 ounce VeeV

1 ounce heavy cream

Pour layers in the order listed, in a lowball glass.

Harvey Wallbanger

1 ounce VeeV

4 ounces fresh orange juice

1 ounce Galliano

Pour VeeV and orange juice into a Collins glass over ice cubes and mix. Float Galliano over the mix and serve.

Grasshopper

1 ounce VeeV

1 ounce green Crème de Menthe

1 ounce white Crème de Cacao

Shake in a tumbler with ice; strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Yellow Fever

1 ounce VeeV

5 ounces lemonade

Juice of one lime wedge

Combine into highball glass. Add a lemon wedge garnish.

The Stinger

1 ounce VeeV

1 ounce white Crème de Cacao

Shake with chipped ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

While you and your guests are enjoying your fabulous creations, you can take pride in the fact that the VeeV brand supports eco-friendly "green" initiatives like the Rainforest Action Network and Sambazon's Sustainable Açaí Project, by donating $1 per bottle to the causes. Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a slender palm tree that bears its purple fruit at the crown of the palm fronds. Açaí, which is the national fruit of Brazil, has 57 percent more antioxidants than blueberries and pomegranates, and up to 30 percent more of the heart-healthy flavinoids found in red wine. VeeV provides a healthy, delicious and eco-friendly ingredient to your classic mixes.

Written by David Claerr