The Untold Truth: Why Is Liquor Called Spirits?

Have you ever wondered why we often refer to liquor as "spirits"?

If you've found yourself curious over this mystery during a quiet moment at a cocktail party or while sipping your favorite bourbon, you're not alone.

Understanding the terminology of our favorite beverages can bring us closer to the world of mixology, illuminating historical and cultural contexts.

So let's take a closer look at why liquor is often referred to as "spirits.”

Why Is Liquor Called Spirits?

The term "spirits" has long been used as a synonym for liquor, but its origins have nothing to do with supernatural entities or ghostly apparitions.

The explanation lies in the process of distillation. When alcohol is distilled, it undergoes evaporation and condensation.

To the untrained eye, this looked like the alcohol's "spirit" was being released and then captured.

To better understand this concept, consider what you see when you boil water: the steam rising could easily be likened to a spirit leaving the body.

Distillation, which also involves heating and cooling, gives a similar effect.

This magical transformation likely gave rise to the term “spirit” in the context of mixology.

Are Spirits and Liquor the Same Thing?

Yes, in modern usage, the terms "spirits" and "liquor" are generally interchangeable.

Both refer to alcoholic beverages that have been distilled, such as vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila and others.

However, it's essential to note that not all alcoholic drinks fall under this category.

Wine and beer, for example, are fermented but not distilled, and thus are typically not referred to as spirits.

Joe from Bartender Planet has an interesting series on mixing different spirits and what happens when doing so.

They break down which spirits can and cannot be mixed, as well as explore a variety of concoctions with some surprising results.

Where Does the Word Spirit Come From?

The word "spirit" comes from the Latin term "spiritus," which means breath, breeze or soul.

This term was used in alchemy, an early form of science and philosophy, to describe the vapors produced during chemical processes like distillation.

"Spiritus" found its way into Middle English as "spirit," and the term has been used in various contexts since then, including religious and philosophical ones.

When it comes to alcohol, however, the alchemical connection is the most relevant, linking the concept of an ethereal essence being drawn from physical substances.

When Did Liquor First Start Being Called “Spirits”?

The term "spirits" was first used in relation to alcohol around the mid-14th century.

During this period, medical practitioners and alchemists distilled alcohol for medicinal purposes.

These individuals were likely influenced by Aristotle's theories of matter, where he postulated that wine contained a "spirit" that was released upon heating.

It was the alchemist Ramon Llull who is often credited with being the first to document this "spirit" in the 13th century, noting the flammability of the distillate.

From there, the term "spirit" caught on in relation to the distillation process and the products it created – particularly alcoholic ones.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! The ethereal term "spirits" used to describe your favorite tipple is actually a centuries-old nod to the mystical art of distillation.

So the next time you pour a shot of your preferred liquor, take a moment to appreciate its "spirit," a reminder of the magical process that brings flavor, warmth and a hint of celebration to our lives.

After all, knowing the backstory only adds to the pleasure of the drink.