What are the best spirit drinks and why are they called like that?

A spirit drink is one which is the result of the distillation of fermented liquids from grapes, nuts, cereals, sugar cane, etc. If you want to know more about spirits, here is an article on how to distill alcohol.

There are many spirits drinks. But only a few have the honor of being the base of the most cocktails around the world.

The term spirit comes from the Middle East alchemists; they were more interested in creating medical elixirs than in transmuting lead into gold. The steam obtained in the alchemical process (now known as distillation) was known as the matter’s original spirit.

The spirits that can’t be missing in any bar are Whiskey, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Gin, and Brandy. Here you’ll find a summary about each one of them, basic characteristics, what makes them special and how it’s better to drink them.

Whiskey

• Distilled: It comes from malted grains, it can be mixed with different grains such as corn, rye, wheat and barley.
• Flavor: The flavor of each whisky is particularly different.
• Aging: At least for 3 years in wooden barrels.
• Where it’s produced: All over the world.
• Types: They’re classified by its elaboration, origin and age.
• Alcoholic grade: Generally, between 40º and 50º.
• How to drink it: Widely used in cocktails, it can be mixed with other liquors, with fruits. Even in hot beverages. Whiskey can be served in many ways, the most common is on the rocks.

Whiskey is the most popular and most drunk spirit drink. Check our article on how is whiskey made.

Rum

Rum is a spirit drink that is obtained by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of sugar cane juice or molasses.

• Distilled: From molasses or sugar cane.
• Flavor: Sweet and toasty. Although it can vary by type and region where it’s made.
• Aging: There are some that are not aged. Those that are aged are made in oak barrels that formerly had bourbon.
• Where it’s produced: All over the world.
• Types: They’re classified in different types. White, Golden, Dark, Black, Premium, Vintage, Overproof, Agricultural and Spiced rum.
• Alcoholic Grade: the more common is 40º, although Overproof rum can get up to 75º.
• How to drink it: The flavor is sweet which makes it very versatile, is the base of tropical cocktails. Premium rums are drunk neat or with ice.

Here you’ll be able to know more about  What is rum and how is it made? You’ll also can know which are the types of rums.

Tequila

It’s a Maguey distilled product. Tequila is extracted solely from Blue Agave Tequilana Weber. Tequila can only be produced in the states of Jalisco, Tuliapas, Nayarit, Guanajuato and Michuacán.

• Distilled: Comes from the Blue Agave.
• Flavor: Citric, fruity and with vanilla notes.
• Aging: American or French oak that was previously used to age Bourbon.
• Where it’s produced: Jalisco, Tuliapas, Nayarit, Guanajuato y Michuacán.
• Types: Blanco, the Reposado, the Añejo and the Extra Añejo.
• Alcoholic Grade: Tequila must be between 35 y 40º
• How to drink it: It’s usually drunk dry, in a cocañera or tequila glass. But it’s also the base of many popular cocktails like the Margarita.

It’s the quintessential product of Mexico, Here you can see how Tequila is made.

Vodka

Vodka is a clear spirit drink, which is not distilled, that has its origin in Northern Europe.

Its name is a diminutive of the Slavic word Vodka (water); generally, it’s produced through the fermentation of grains and other starch-rich plants, such as rye, wheat, potato or beet.

• Distilled: It comes from neutral grains or potatoes. They’re also distillated of grapes, beet and other bases.
• Flavor: Neutral or ethanol.
• Aging: It’s not aged.
• Where it’s produced: All over the world.
• Types: Vodka without any flavoring can be distinguished by the area where it was produced. There are also flavored vodkas.
• Alcoholic grade: Between 40º y 50º.
• How to drink it: The neutral flavor of vodka makes it one of the most versatile spirits drinks, it can be drunk by itself or be combined to make cocktails. Among the most popular are the Cosmopolitan, the Black Russian and the Bloody Mary.

Vodka is one of the older spirits of the world, Here you can see how it’s made and what is Vodka.

Gin

Gin is an English-origin liquor derived from the Dutch name ‘Genever’ or ‘Jenever’. These values ​​will determine that a gin can be more herbaceous, with pronounced floral touches or with an emphasis on the citrus bouquet.

• Distilled: It’s obtained from the unmalted barley distillation.
• Flavor: Fruity, floral, citric and always fresh. These are the notes that can be also caught in its flavor, on the mouth it’s soft and refreshing.
• Aging:  It’s not aged.
• Where it’s produced: All over the world.
• Types: London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin, Old Tom Gin, Genever, New American Gin
• Alcoholic grade: Between 42º and 48º.
• How to drink it: To taste a good gin it’s suggested to taste it at a temperature between 20 and 22° Celsius. Gin it’s also the base for famous cocktails like Martini and Gin Tonic.

Brandy

In Spain, Brandy has a designation of origin such as Brandy de Jerez and the one of Puerto de Santa Maria. Being such a popular beverage, this guide seeks to guide the consumer, among the characteristics of the top five Spanish brandies

• Distilled: From fermented fruits juice, specially of grapes.
• Flavor: Burned wine.
• Aging: It’s aged in oak barrels, that previously had bourbon.
• Where it’s produced: All over the world. There are some specific designations of origin.
• Types: Brandy de Jerez, Cognac, Armagnac, Pisco, among others.
• Alcoholic grade: Normally is of 40º
• How to drink it: It’s used in a wide variety of fine cocktails, which contain few ingredients. The most famous cocktails made with Brandy are the Metropolitan, Brandy Alexander, and Brandy Daisy.

Brandy, Cognac, Armagnac and Pisco come from the wine distillation, Here you can see what is brandy and how it’s made.