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Difference between Liquor and Spirits: Know in Detail!

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In this blog we are going to tell you about Difference between Liquor and Spirits, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.

People think that the words Liquor and Spirits are the same and they use them interchangeably. Earlier it was believed that all spirits are liquor. But with time the two drinks have differentiated with different names so that people don’t consume one in place of another. Hence, with the advancement, they were divided into two categories: liquor and spirits. Liquor is referred to as any non-brewed alcohol- distilled spirits. When the alcohol is distilled it is called Spirits. 

Read the full article to know more about liquor and spirits and know the major differences between liquor and spirits so that you can also differentiate between the two. 

What is Liquor?

Liquor are beverages that are dependent on flavored spirits or flavorings. It is usually colorful and fragrant and contains alcohol content between 25 and 55 degrees. It is generally mixed with fruits or herbs but some liquors are also prepared with coffee, cocoa, and other foods. Liquors are drunk in small glasses at a slightly cold or room temperature as it is the correct way to enjoy it. 

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Liquor is mainly used to describe any distilled beverage and it is also known as spirit alcoholic beverages. Some forms of liquor include vodka, rum, and tequila. Liquor has a high content of alcohol. 

What are Spirits?

Spirits are prepared with a chemical process called distillation. In this process, the beverage is heated and consists of water and alcohol to over 78.3 degrees but less than 100 degrees. This prevents the water from boiling. In the process, the alcohol evaporates and separates the original liquid and then again recondensed to make a stronger drink. It generally has an alcohol content between 40 and 65 degrees. It is made from foods that contain natural sugars like sugarcane and agave. Some of them include whiskey, rum, vodka, and tequila. 

Traditionally, pure spirits are prepared from grains or other plants. The main six pure spirits are gin, vodka, brandy, tequila, rum, and whisky. Spirits are prepared through distillation by using an alcoholic liquid which is made through the fermentation process. This liquid is when again placed in a still where the alcohol is extracted in high concentration and this results in making it a pure distilled spirit.

Main differences between Liquor and Spirits

The following are the main differences between liquor and spirits as mentioned below:

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  • Liquors are non-brewed alcohol and distilled spirits whereas spirits are specific liquors that are made having special flavors. 
  • Liquor in Latin means ‘to be fluid’. Talking back about 1225, it simply means liquid but people used to consider it an intoxicating alcoholic drink which is an alcoholic beverage that contains alcohol. On the other hand, the term spirits refers to a certain distilled beverage that has no sugar and has at least 20% alcohol by volume. So you can say once alcohol is distilled, it becomes spirit. 
  • Another major difference is that although they both go through distillation before serving, the alcohol contained in them is different. 
  • Liquors are distilled from fermented beverages and have a high alcohol content which is 40% by volume while spirits need to have at least 20% alcohol content. 
  • Liquors are much sweeter in comparison to spirits because they have added flavoring and sweetness. While on the other hand, spirits are not sweet but when they go through fermentation their taste becomes sweet but still not as much as liquors. 

The Final words

Both liquor and spirits are basically the same thing but they are most commonly used to describe the percentage of alcohol. Before being served both Liquor and Spirits go through distillation. But they are different because of their alcoholic content. Liquor has 40% alcohol content and must be distilled from fermented beverages while spirits need to have 20% alcohol content. Another difference is that they have different tastes. But you can simply remember the difference as liquors refer to all non brewed alcoholic beverages and are made with the portion of distilled alcohol while the complete distilled alcohol is known as spirit.

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We hope that this article was helpful and has cleared all your doubts and queries and now you can differentiate between the two- Liquor and Spirits.

We Hope this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Difference between Liquor and Spirits. Thanks for reading this blog.

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