1. горілка is known in many languages as 'vodka', but this word (meaning 'little water') is not traditionally used in Ukrainian

2. горілка  is derived from the word горіти - to burn, be on fire

3. горілчаний брат (literally, a vodka brother) - a boon companion

4. горілка is mentioned in many traditional songs; two examples are: 'Ой, куме, куме, добра горілка, будемо пити аж до понеділка!'  - 'Oh, my friend, how good is the vodka, we'll keep on drinking till Monday comes'; 'На тім світі не дають горілки, ані пива-меду, ні вина / Води трошки, ще й тії дощівки, пиймо, браття, пиймо все до дна!' - 'In the other world they don't serve vodka, no mead, no beer, or even wine / Just a little water, and rainwater at that, so, brothers all, let's drain our glasses!' (from a cossack drinking song).

горіти - to burn, be on fire