Spirits

Similarities and Differences Between Hard Liquors: Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka, and Whiskey

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Published: Monday, 22 February 2021 18:16
Written by Super User
Similarities and Differences Between Hard Liquors: Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka, and Whiskey
 
There are more similarities than differences between hard liquors or spirits. Gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey/whisky all make great cocktails, for example.
All spirits are made by roughly the same process. Something sugary is fermented, during which yeast convert sugars to alcohol, and then distilled. Distillation is the process of bringing the fermented mash to a warm temperature and collecting the vaporized liquid. More of the alcohol, which has a lower boiling point, will evaporate than the water, so you get your high proof spirit. Some spirits are then aged or undergo some other special process and finally additional water is often added to achieve the desired strength, and the liquor is bottled. The things that change between liquors are what the initial sugary substance is, if and how it is aged, and other special things that happen along the way. Other factors, like the method if distillation, effect the flavor, but don't effect what type of liquor is made.

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The 6 Main Types of Distilled Spirits

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Published: Monday, 22 February 2021 16:07
Written by Super User
The 6 Main Types of Distilled Spirits

There are many distilled spirits available today, though there are just six base liquors that form the foundation of the majority of cocktails and liqueurs. Brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey are each unique and have distinct styles within themselves.

Learn the basic characteristics of each of these liquors to give you an understanding of what makes each special and how to use them in drinks.

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What Is a Liquor or Distilled Spirit?

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Published: Monday, 22 February 2021 15:11
Written by Super User
What Is a Liquor or Distilled Spirit?

What are alcoholic spirits, exactly? Basically they’re the biggest, brawniest older brother of the alcohol family. All alcoholic beverages are made by fermenting some form of sugary brew into ethanol and CO2. Because yeast can only ferment so much before alcohol levels become toxic to them, we have to distill (or physically separate out the water) to get higher alcohol concentrations. And that’s why “spirits” are differentiated in two ways: they’re distilled, and they have higher average ABVs, from around 20% to as high as 80 or 90% ABV (most spirits fall somewhere much closer to the middle).

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