Many people consume alcohol at social gatherings, whether it’s to facilitate digestion or simply unwind. Unfortunately, some individuals use alcohol as a means of impressing others and gaining acceptance from their peers. From teens to adults, drinking has become commonplace in our society.
If you’re curious about booze, alcoholism and addiction, we’ve got all the information you need. Read on to discover everything from types of alcoholic drinks to warning signs of alcoholism. So buckle up and get ready for an informative journey!
Gaining an Understanding of Alcohol Consumption
The alcohol that is suitable for drinking, or ethanol, is produced from the fermentation of sugar. Methanol, as well as other types such as isopropyl alcohol cannot be consumed and has to be used solely for disinfection purposes. Nonetheless, even ethanol can still be employed in sanitization applications.
Two Main Types of Alcoholic Beverages
When it comes to drinking alcohol, there are two broad categories: distilled and undistilled. Let’s dive deeper into each type of beverage.
Undistilled Alcohol
Fermented drinks are made when yeast transforms sugar into ethanol. Common types in this group include wines and beers, the former created with grapes and the latter brewed from grains such as wheat or barley.
Distilled Alcohol
Unleashing the power of distillation on your fermented beverages will transform them into a distilled alcoholic drink that far exceeds its predecessor in terms of strength. Popular varieties include whiskey, gin, rum, brandy, vodka, absinthe, tequila and Everclear – each with their own unique flavors and complexities to be savored.
When sipping on distilled alcoholic beverages, be aware of their potent alcohol content and consume with caution.
Alcohol Strength
Someone should always be aware of the amount of alcohol that is in what they are drinking – for responsible drinking, knowing your ABV and Proof Number can save you. Expressions such as Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and Proof Number allow us to understand how strong a drink may be. With this knowledge one can moderate their intake accordingly!
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): To measure the potency of an alcoholic beverage, it’s alcohol content is communicated as a percentage by volume. For example, 500mL of red wine with 10% (v/v) strength has 50mL ethanol present in its composition.
- Proof Number: To determine the proof number of your beverage, simply multiply its volume percentage concentration by two. For example, a 10% red wine will have an associated proof number of 20 (10% x 2 = 20).
Distinguishing Alcoholic Drinks by Their Strength
It has been previously established that there are two primary categories of alcoholic beverages. To further expand on this concept, we will now explore the subcategories within each group – undistilled and distilled alcohols.
Distilled Alcoholic Drinks
1. Gin
Juniper berries are the source of this spirit’s refreshing and distinctive flavor; its alcohol content ranges between 35% to 55% ABV.
2. Brandy
Distilled wines have an alcohol strength between 35%-60%, and the most popular of these beverages is Cognac, which has a 40% ABV.
3. Whiskey
Experience the strength of spirit when you distill an alcoholic beverage from grains and achieve a potency between 40% to 50% alcohol by volume (ABV).
4. Tequila
Tequila, famously derived from the Mexican agave plant, is typically 40% ABV in terms of alcohol content.
5. Rum
Derived from sugarcane or molasses, rum typically has an ABV of 40%. However, a few brands boast strong alcohol content with their rums reaching up to and even surpassing 75% ABV.
6. Everclear
Crafted from a fermented grain mash, this potent spirit boasts an average alcohol concentration of 60% ABV. However, its strength can range anywhere between 75.5 to 95%.
7. Absinthe
This distilled spirit boasts a potency ranging anywhere from 40-90% ABV, crafted by extracting the essence of various leaves and plants.
8. Vodka
When you produce vodka from grains or potatoes, it yields a spirit with an alcohol content of 40% ABV in the US. This clear liquor is exceptionally popular for its smooth taste and mixability.
Undistilled Alcohol Drinks
1. Wine
Wine is an iconic alcoholic beverage that requires grapes for its production. Over the years, wine has developed a following due to its alcohol concentration range of 10% to 14% ABV.
Furthermore, fortified wines like Madeira, Marsala, Port, Vermouth and Sherry possess a robust flavor due to the added ethanol in them. Such wines have an ABV percentage of 20%, which is higher than other varieties available.
2. Sake
Japan’s renowned rice wine has an alcohol content of 16% ABV and is widely acclaimed for its distinctive flavor.
3. Hard Cider
Boasting an alcohol content of 5% by volume, this fermented apple extract is sure to pack a punch.
4. Mead
This potent beverage is created by blending fermented honey and filtered water, making it a powerfully intoxicating mix with an alcohol content of 10-14%.
5. Beer
Through the fermentation of various ingredients such as sugarcane, molasses, malt, or barley – beer is created and contains an average alcohol content of 4% to 6% ABV.
Top 10 Strong Alcoholic Beverages in the Market
1. Spirytus Rektyfikowany
Exercise extreme caution when enjoying this 96% alcohol concentration Polish Vodka as it is extremely potent.
2. Everclear
With a strength rating of 99%, Luxco’s U.S.-made alcoholic beverage is just 1% lower than our strongest drink yet – making it almost as powerful! While this may seem tempting, you need to be mindful that highly potent drinks can numb your tongue or taste buds if consumed in excess. Exercise caution and enjoy responsibly!
3. Bruichladdich X4 + 1 Whiskey
With an average alcohol content of 92% ABV, moonshine is significantly more potent than the typical concentration of most whiskeys.
4. Pincer Vodka
Scotland Vodka is among the strongest vodkas available, boasting an impressive 88.8% ABV alcohol content!
5. Balkan
This Scandinavian drink is an 88% alcohol powerhouse, colorless and odorless to the eye.
6. Good ol’ Sailor Vodka
This classic Swedish vodka has a whopping 85% ABV, so please be careful and sip lightly if you choose to enjoy it. Otherwise, your liver may end up paying the price.
7. Sunset Rum
Packing a powerful punch of 84.5% ABV, this celebrated rum is one of the strongest liquors available in today’s market.
8. Devil Springs Vodka
Bacardi 151 is the ideal rum to make your flaming shots more memorable! It has a higher alcohol strength than any other regular-sized bottle of rum, with a precise 160 Proof. When mixed with ginger ale or spicy cola, it makes for an exciting and mouthwatering experience that will definitely be savored by everyone.
9. Bacardi
When combining this with your daiquiris or Cuba Libre, pour it in small amounts as its potency is immense. With an alcohol content of 75.5% ABV, you’ll experience a rapid spike in just seconds!
10. Absinthe
There are rumors that this drink contains hallucinogens; however, its main component is artemisia absinthium. Additionally, the average alcohol strength of it ranges from 45%-85%.
Takeaways
In the United States, alcohol has claimed the lives of 95,000 people while driving under its influence resulted in a staggering 9,967 fatalities. If you believe that your drinking habits have become unmanageable and warrant professional assistance, please contact an addiction specialist or medical personnel without delay.
Taking preventative measures and intervening early is the best way to combat substance addiction or alcoholism.