Changes

The [[origin]] of "spirit" in [[reference]] to alcohol stems from Middle Eastern [[alchemy]]. These alchemists were more involved in medical elixirs than in creating gold from lead. The vapors given off and collected during some of their alchemical [[processes]] were described as being the spirits of the [[original]] object. When processes akin to distillation were carried out by [[accident]] alcohol was produced and the result known as a spirit.

The [[origin]] of "spirit" in [[reference]] to alcohol stems from Middle Eastern [[alchemy]]. These alchemists were more involved in medical elixirs than in creating gold from lead. The vapors given off and collected during some of their alchemical [[processes]] were described as being the spirits of the [[original]] object. When processes akin to distillation were carried out by [[accident]] alcohol was produced and the result known as a spirit.

*[http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Century 12th Century]

*[https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Century 12th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

1. a distilled or spirituous beverage, as brandy or whiskey, as distinguished from a fermented beverage, as wine or beer.

1. a distilled or spirituous beverage, as brandy or whiskey, as distinguished from a fermented beverage, as wine or beer.

6. Informal . to drink large quantities of liquor (often fol. by up ).

6. Informal . to drink large quantities of liquor (often fol. by up ).

==Description==

==Description==

A distilled beverage, '''liquor''', or spirit is a drinkable [[liquid]] containing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol ethanol] that is produced by distilling fermented grain, fruit, or vegetables. This excludes undistilled fermented beverages such as beer, wine, and hard cider.

A distilled beverage, '''liquor''', or spirit is a drinkable [[liquid]] containing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol ethanol] that is produced by distilling fermented grain, fruit, or vegetables. This excludes undistilled fermented beverages such as beer, wine, and hard cider.

The term hard liquor is often used in the United States to distinguish distilled beverages from undistilled ones (implicitly weaker).

The term hard liquor is often used in the United States to distinguish distilled beverages from undistilled ones (implicitly weaker).

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer Beer] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine wine] are limited to a maximum alcohol content of about 15% ABV, as most yeasts cannot reproduce when the [[concentration]] of alcohol is above this level; consequently, fermentation ceases at that point.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer Beer] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine wine] are limited to a maximum alcohol content of about 15% ABV, as most yeasts cannot reproduce when the [[concentration]] of alcohol is above this level; consequently, fermentation ceases at that point.

The term spirit refers to a distilled beverage that contains no added sugar and has at least 20% ABV. Popular spirits include brandy, fruit brandy (also known as eau-de-vie / Schnapps), gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whisky.

The term spirit refers to a distilled beverage that contains no added sugar and has at least 20% ABV. Popular spirits include brandy, fruit brandy (also known as eau-de-vie / Schnapps), gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whisky.

Distilled beverages that are bottled with added sugar and added flavorings, such as Grand Marnier, Frangelico, and American schnapps, are liqueurs. In common usage, the distinction between spirits and liqueurs is widely unknown or ignored; consequently all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverages alcoholic beverages] other than beer and wine are generally referred to simply as spirits.

Distilled beverages that are bottled with added sugar and added flavorings, such as Grand Marnier, Frangelico, and American schnapps, are liqueurs. In common usage, the distinction between spirits and liqueurs is widely unknown or ignored; consequently all [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverages alcoholic beverages] other than beer and wine are generally referred to simply as spirits.

Fortified wines are created by adding a distilled beverage (often brandy) to a wine.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquor]

Fortified wines are created by adding a distilled beverage (often brandy) to a wine.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquor]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Addiction]]'''''

*'''''[[Addiction]]'''''