I remember going into restaurants when I was young and seeing terms like alcohol and spirits. But I never knew why these were used interchangeably. If you are curious about this topic, read on.
what are ghosts
If alcohol is a rectangle, a spirit is a square. That means all spirits are alcohol, but the reverse is not true.
To be considered a spirit, alcohol must meet certain requirements. It must:
- Contain water and ethanol
- Be heavily distilled
- Prepared with an alcoholic liquid or mash
Now, good old alcohol is just a colorless liquid that’s also volatile. It is made by fermenting sugar or another sugar-based product. But the presence of alcohol is why spirits can get you drunk easily.
History of spirits as an alcohol term
The English translation of the Arabic word “Al-Kuhl” is “body-eating spirit,” which is where the term “ghosts” comes from.
Some people believe that magical experiments contributed to the discovery of alcohol. Also in this belief system, drinking alcohol gives alcohol control over your body. And that’s true in a way, especially if you drink enough to get drunk.
However, some believe that the spirits go even further and take the soul out of the body. Supposedly it is this process that leads to fainting.
Common types of ghosts
If you’re looking for alcohol, consider what counts as a spirit drink. Spirits are among the most popular alcohols.
Try the following the next time you’re out drinking at home, at a bar, or at friends’ house.
tequila
When I think of a shot I think of tequila as a base. I don’t know about you, but what comes to mind is the famous shot of tequila with lime and salt.
Named after the Mexican city of Tequila, this alcohol is made by fermenting the blue agave plant. Of course, the plant juices are then distilled to make a spirit.
I was surprised to learn that the only real tequila you can find is the one that comes from Mexico. Alcohol could be made elsewhere from the blue agave plant, but it would not come under the tequila brand name.
Some people love the earthy taste of the drink, others can’t stand it. I don’t know if I would like tequila, but I will never say never when it comes to trying it.
vodka
One of my favorite foods is the potato and it is the most common base for vodka. Do I want to drink vodka? Maybe, maybe not.
The potato base makes vodka one of the most versatile spirits out there. I would probably try it in a cocktail as other ingredients would mask the taste of the alcohol.
It’s not as sweet as rum or as earthy as tequila. I know I associate vodka more with Russia, it’s a fitting spirit for drinks inspired by countries around the world.
The beauty of vodka is that you can keep it cold in the freezer. But even in these cold temperatures, it doesn’t freeze.
brandy
Maybe you enjoy wine, but would also like to try spirits. If I had to taste a spirit, I would probably start with brandy because it’s made from grapes.
Unlike wine, grape juice is distilled, so it is considered a type of spirit. You could probably say that brandy is the “wine” of spirits.
I haven’t looked into brandies yet, but I imagine there are many options to compare until you find one you like. All this variety means that brandy can range from 70% to 120% ABV and 35% to 60% ABV.
Most spirits mature for at least a few years. I have found that the range is between three and over 20 years.
rum
If you like sweeter drinks, you can use rum as a base. Rum tastes like sugar at first, but distilling can affect the flavor somewhat.
You will primarily find rum that comes from the Caribbean. Almost all rum is made locally, and every rum made outside the region goes by a different name.
In addition to rum itself, you can also buy and consume rum cakes. These cakes taste sweet and can be a great option if you don’t want to drink alcohol alone or in a cocktail.
The alcohol content in rum is between 40 and 80%. Exact percentages will vary by manufacturer and may vary from batch to batch.
gin
As a dry spirit, gin is another great choice and is a staple of the famous gin and tonic. It tastes more savory than sweet, so it can be a good alternative if you’re not a fan of rum.
Juniper berries are the source of the famous gin flavor. The alcohol content is between 40 and 47%, so it’s not as alcoholic as some spirits. It is now between 80 and 94 proof.
Corn, barley and rye are distilled to make gin. Unfortunately, that means it’s not a suitable choice for anyone following a gluten-free diet.
However, gin is unaged and there are no regulations restricting the manufacturers who are allowed to make this drink.
whiskey
Whiskey is made from one or more grains that are distilled. Manufacturers can use different whiskey making styles to alter the taste.
Of course, the presence of grain means whiskey is not a safe choice if you cannot consume gluten. However, since it’s a common cocktail base, be sure to ask if it’s available before ordering a drink.
Alcohol producers usually put whiskey in an oak cask to age it. When it’s ready, it’s typically 40-50% ABV and 80-100% ABV.
How do you choose the best spirit?
When you compare the different spirits, you may be wondering which is the best. For one thing, you need to consider whether you need to avoid gluten. Then drinks with gin or whiskey are off the table.
Next, you can decide what flavor you want your drink to have. If you want something sweeter, rum is a niche choice.
Of course, you should also consider how much you want to drink. Tequila is commonly used in shots, making it a good choice for a quick drink.
