- An alcoholic beverage made by distilling a fermented beverage such as beer or wine. Distillation separates the ethanol (alcohol) from the water and other chemicals in the beer or wine, resulting in a product with a relatively high alcohol by volume. Common spirits include vodka, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, and brandy. The name “spirit” dates to early Middle Eastern alchemists, who would gather the vapors of various mixtures. They referred to these vapors as the spirit of the original mixture.
Also known as liquor or distilled spirit.