The average beer drinker probably learned all about beer by looking at the local pub menu. It boils down to just a few decisions: domestic or imported, bottle or tap and popular brand name or microbrew. But beer is as old as civilization itself. A search for knowledge about the origins of beer is a salute to one of the world's most common and popular beverages. Beer has been a part of our history... Read more >
In recent years, the popularity of cider has witnessed an international revival. Gone are the days when cider was classed as a "curiosity" drink. Cider has quickly become a part of the mainstream beverage industry. Most cider is made from fermented apple juice. Natural cider has nothing added and relies on the wild yeast present in the apples for fermentation. For mass-produced ciders, a yeast... Read more >
"Shaken, not stirred," jokes the customer who just ordered a martini in an upscale hotel bar. "I'll let the bartender know," answers the young waitress, oblivious to the reference to Bond. James Bond. Baby boomers and classical movie buffs know Bond's reputation for wooing the ladies, martini glass in hand. In fact, modern martini bars borrow some of their classiness from Ian Fleming's famous... Read more >
From its earliest days, whiskey has been known for its curative and creative properties. It evolved into a unique cultural icon of the people who savored it. It has charmed saints and tormented sinners. Each country, distiller and blender has made a distinct interpretation of this drink. Today, whiskey is enjoying yet another revival as a cultural icon. While the exact origins are lost in the mists... Read more >
The Hangover: "How's it Hanging?" "Terrible. My head is pounding and I have this constant urge to throw up." "What happened?" "I was at a party last night. Music, dancing, alcohol, everything you'd want. It was crazy! When I got there, I found two shots of 151 in my hands." "Wow, what'd you do?" "The only thing I could do: I drank them." "That must have hit you hard." "Yeah, but... Read more >
Vodka is a clear and (ideally) odorless, flavorless alcohol that is popularly consumed in the U.S. and across the world. It lends itself well to mixing, making it a versatile spirit capable of carrying a variety of flavors or fortifying any number of drinks. Vodka has a long history closely tied to the frigid region of its origin. Origins of Vodka The Slavic people of Eastern Europe (as well as... Read more >
Tequila and mezcal are both liquors made from the fruit of the agave plant. Tequila, a particular type of mescal, is made specifically from the blue agave and can only be distilled in certain geographic areas, particularly the Mexican state of Jalisco. Alternately, mezcal is produced all over Mexico and is made from the fruit of other species of agave. History of Tequila Tequila... Read more >
Gin is a versatile spirit made from a grain mash of barley, corn or rye. Its unique flavor comes from a combination of juniper berries, herbs and spices, coriander, angelica and a number of other ingredients. Gin serves as the main ingredient in many classic cocktails, including the "gin and tonic" and the classic "dry martini." History of Gin While the exact origins of gin are unknown, some have... Read more >
When you’re looking for a celebratory drink, aquavit might not be the first alcoholic beverage that comes to mind. However, aquavit liquor has a long and illustrious history as the first choice for many holidays and special occasions, especially in Norway and other Scandinavian countries. What is Aquavit Aquavit is an alcoholic drink distilled either from grain or, more commonly, potatoes. It... Read more >
While you may only know vermouth through its association with the classic martini, this liquor has an interesting history and far more versatility than its use within the martini-mixing context. What is Vermouth Vermouth is an aromatized wine, meaning that it has added sugar, roots, herbs, spices and flowers. These additives don’t boost the alcohol content, but they do sculpt the flavor of the... Read more >
Rum was first produced in the Caribbean in the 17th century from the large amounts of sugarcane that easily grew there. By way of naval exploration and trade, rum's popularity soon spread to Great Britain and North America, making rum a prosperous export by the late 17th century. In fact, rum became so popular that, when the British Royal Navy conquered Jamaica, they started giving sailors daily rations of rum... Read more >
Liqueurs are frequently flavored because spices, herbs and/or fruits are infused into the alcohol. They can be traced back to herbal medicines, and were popular in Italy as early as the 13th century. The majority of liqueurs have a lower alcohol percentage (or "proof") than spirits, with most liqueurs having a proof between 15 and 30 percent alcohol by volume. Anise is an herb made from a flowering... Read more >
Brandy is a distilled wine that has been boiled or "burnt," as the Dutch would call it. In fact, the Dutch translation for brandy, brandewijn, literally translates to "burnt wine." Brandy, an alcohol that wasn't always consumed for pleasure, has a long, honored history. The medicinal use of brandy began with the Arabs sometime in the seventh or eighth century. Brandy (in the form in which it... Read more >
Schnapps had a rather innocent and unassuming beginning when, around the 16th century, monks were studying its medicinal uses. Nowadays, this potato- or grain-based liquor is known around the world as a strong alcoholic beverage. The original schnapps, translated from German to "a mouthful," was first made in Germany and is still consumed there regularly, as well as in Austria, Denmark and... Read more >
As any bartender can tell you, pisco is one of the hottest spirits around these days. The grape brandy, once considered only good enough for the Peruvian peasants who invented it, has now sparked such international interest that Peru and Chile are in a bitter dispute about which nation can claim proprietorship. Pisco is a potent brew! Containing about 45 percent alcohol, the drink still has a... Read more >
Anyone who’s ever toured India’s Goa region typically comes home with a potent memory - sipping fenny at a seaside tavern. Whether it’s served neat, mixed with lemon-lime soda or as part of a more elaborate cocktail, fenny is a superb spirit that deserves more worldwide recognition. Goa: Home of the Famous Fenny Goa, formerly a Portugese territory, is now mostly known for its... Read more >
Grain alcohol, also known as moonshine, Everclear or poteen, is a fiery beverage that packs a punch. Unlike some liquor, grain alcohol embraces its roughly edged flavors to provide its enthusiasts with one of the purest, strongest forms of alcohol. What is Grain Alcohol? Natural grain alcohol is a form of pure alcohol produced by fermenting and distilling grain. It's far stronger than other alcoholic... Read more >
While beer, whiskey and vodka may summon to mind crowded bars and rowdy crowds, liqueurs such as amaretto, Kahlua and Bailey's conjure a more refined setting, such as a fancy restaurant or an elegant party. Liqueurs are friendly drinks that go down smooth due to their higher sugar content. Unlike other types of alcohol, liqueurs will never leave you gasping for air or wearing that bug-eyed tequila... Read more >
Just as Americans use the word "soda" to refer to carbonated beverages, the Japanese use the word "sake" to refer to all alcoholic beverages. However, in some cases, "sake" also refers to a specific short-grained rice wine. At over 2,000 years old, rice wine sake is one of the oldest Asian liquors. During its first years, sake was part of religious ceremonies in which villagers chewed rice and nuts... Read more >
Cachaca is a distilled liquor primarily made in Brazil. While cachaca, also referred to as "white rum," is often compared to rum, it is actually made from pure sugarcane, rather than molasses, which is used to make rum. The History of Brazilian Cachaca No one knows who developed cachaca or exactly where it comes from, but they do know its beginnings reside in Brazil's colonial period (around... Read more >
Kefir is a popular drink that is taking the world by storm. But what is kefir and what is it made of? Popular in northern Europe, kefir is a fermented drink that is sometimes used in place of milk products in cereals, soups and other foods. In fact, kefir is the main ingredient in Lithuanian cold beet soup, or borscht, and the Russian summer soup known as okroshka. It is also used to make... Read more >
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