Stock up on limes and cans of mango juice or mango nectar -- while not as fabulous as fresh juice, the latter is much cheaper and easier to find. In order to prepare a decent-sized pitcher of these, start with enough limes to make 1-2 cups of juice (approx 5-6 limes = 1 cup) and work your remaining ingredient proportions from there.

If you haven't prepared simple syrup in advance, whip up a quick batch now by pouring equal amounts of sugar and boiling water into the bottom of your drink pitcher. If you're not good at eyeballing the amount relative to the other ingredients, you might want to do this part in a glass measuring cup, then only pour in as much as you need once you've measured out your juices and vodka.

Next, halve and juice the limes until you have the requisite amount of juice (approx 5-6 = 1 cup). Pour the lime juice into the pitcher. Add your vodka and mango juice or nectar. If you opted to make simple syrup in another container, or have some pre-made, add that now. Stir all ingredients together well. Taste a bit, and add more juice or simple syrup for sweetness if needed.

Next, fill a chilled cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice and pour the desired drink amount from pitcher; cover and shake vigorously. Set a few cubes of ice into a cocktail glass -- or hell, drinking glass -- and let your libation flow from shaker to glass. Garnish with a spear of fresh mango if you're feeling fancy (or hungry). Bottoms-up!