“LIQUOR’S” Liquor (or a spirit) is an alcoholic drink produced by distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar, that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. Other terms for liquor include: spirit drink, distilled beverage or hard liquor. The distillation process concentrates the liquid to increase its alcohol by volume. As liquors contain significantly more alcohol (ethanol) than other alcoholic drinks, they are considered "harder" – in North America, the term hard liquor is sometimes used to distinguish distilled alcoholic drinks from non-distilled ones, whereas the term spirits are used in the UK. The terms "hard liquor" and "hard alcohol" are often differentiated but are equivalent under US law; the term ethanol itself has no significance under US law.
Liquor is a distilled beverage. It is typically consumed for the psychoactive effects of alcohol. It may be consumed on its own (“neat”), typically in small amounts. In undiluted form, distilled beverages are often slightly sweet, bitter and impart a burning mouthfeel, with a strong odour from the alcohol; the exact flavour varies between different varieties of liquor and impurities they impart. Liquor is also frequently enjoyed in diluted form as flavoured liquor or as part of mixed drinks. Acute consumption of liquor causes severe alcohol intoxication, known as alcohol poisoning which can be fatal. Consistent consumption of liquor over time correlates with health problems such as poor nutrition and malnutrition, mental health issues including depression and addiction to other substances such as toxic chemicals.
The term "spirit" (singular and used without the additional term "drink") refers to liquor that is clearly a spirit. Fruit brandy, for example, is also known as fruit spirit. Liquor bottled with added sugar and added flavourings, such as Grand Marnier, Frangelico, and American schnapps, are known instead as liqueurs. Liquor generally has an alcohol concentration higher than 30%.