SPIRITS

• All spirits are produced by the distillation of alcoholic beverages. The principle of
distillation is that ethyl alcohol vaporizes (boils) at a lower temperature (78°C) than
water (100°C).

• Thus where a liquid containing alcohol is heated in an enclosed environment the alcohol
will form steam first and can be taken off, leaving water and other ingredients behind.
This process raises the alcoholic strength of the resulting liquid.

• Distillation can produce liquors that range from 40-75% ethyl alcohol. There are two
main methods of producing spirits, either by the pot still method which is used for full,
heavy flavoured spirits such as brandy, or the patent still (Coffey) method with produces
the lighter spirits such as vodka.

• The bases used in the most common spirits are listed below. In each case the base is a
fermented liquid.

• Whisky, gin and vodka: Barley, maize or rye (i.e. beer)

• Brandy: Wine

• Calvados: Cider (Apple or Pear juice)

• Rum: Molasses

• Tequila: Pulque

• Some popular types of spirit:

• Brandy - Brandy may be defined as a spirit distilled from wine. The word brandy is more
usually linked with the names Cognac and Armagnac, but brandy is also made in almost
all wine producing areas. Among the popular brands is Richot. The alcoholic content of
brandies is between 36%-60% by volume. Brandies are usually served chilled or with ice.

• Whiskey - Whiskey is a made from cereals: Scotch whiskey from malted barley,
Irish whiskey usually from barley, North American whiskey and Bourbon from maize
and rye.

Scotch whisky is primarily made from barley, malted (hence the term malt whisky) then
heated over a peat fire (peat is a young coal, dug from the earth, dried and burnt for
warmth and energy). Grain whiskies are made from other grains and are usually blended
with malt whisky. The alcoholic content is between 40%-50% by volume. Some of the
most famous and popular blended Scotch Whiskey brands are: Johnnie Walker Scotch ,
Cutty Sark Scotch, Famous Grouse Scotch and Chivas Regal Scotch
 Irish whiskey differs from Scotch in that hot air rather than peat fire is used during
malting, thus Irish does not gain the smoky quality of Scotch. It is also distilled three
times (rather than two as in the making of Scotch) and is matured longer. Some of the
most famous and popular Irish whiskey brands are: Jameson Irish, Connemara Irish,
Tullamore Dew Irish and Tyrconnell Irish

Canadian whisky is usually a blend of flavoured and neutral whiskies made from grains
such as rye, wheat and barley.

American whiskey is made from various mixtures of barley, maize and rye. Bourbon is
made from maize. Popular American whisky is Jack Daniels

Japanese whisky is made by the Scotch process and is blended.

• Rum - This is a spirit made from the fermented by-products of sugar cane. It is
produced in countries where sugar cane grows naturally and is available in dark,
golden and light varieties. Some examples of these are Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad,
Barbados, Guyana and the Bahamas. The most famous brands are; Captain Morgan,
Malibu (Coconut), Bacardi, Havana Club, etc.

• Gin - The term ‘gin’ is taken from the first part of the word Genièvre which is the French
term for juniper. Juniper is the principal botanica (flavouring agent) used in the
production of gin. Maize is the cereal used in gin production in the United Kingdom.
However, rye is the main cereal general1y used in the production of Geneva gin and other
Dutch gins. The alcoholic content of gins is between 40%-50%.the types of gin include;
Gordon’s gin, Beefeater, Plymouth, Hendricks etc

• Vodka - A highly rectified (very pure) patent still spirit. It is purified by being
passed through activated charcoal which removes virtually all aroma and flavour. It is
described as a colourless and flavourless spirit. Originally made from mashed wheat but
now also made from rye, molasses, soybeans, grapes, corn or potatoes. The alcoholic
content of vodka is between 35%-50% alcohol by volume. Popular brands include;
Smirnoff vodka, Finladian, Stolichnaya, Belvedere etc

• Tequila - A Mexican spirit distilled from the fermented juice of the agave plant. It
is traditionally drunk after a lick of salt and a squeeze of lime or lemon. Popular Brands
of Tequila include: Tequila Casco Viejo, Sauza Tequila, Corazon Tequila, Tequila Rose
etc

• Other spirit based alcoholic beverages:

• Liqueurs:
• Liqueurs are defined as sweetened and flavored spirits. They should not be confused with
liqueur spirits which may be whiskies or brandies of great age and quality. For instance, a
brandy liqueur is a liqueur with brandy as basic ingredients, whilst a liqueur brandy may
be defined as a brandy of great age and excellence.

• For all liqueurs a spirit base is necessary and this may be brandy, rum or neutral spirit.

• They are served as digestives. Popular liqueurs include: Cointreau, Drambuie, Tia Maria,
Amarula, Malibu etc

• Bitters:

• A Bitter is an alcoholic beverage that is flavored with herbal essences and has a bitter or
bittersweet flavor. Bitters are used either as aperitifs or for flavouring mixed drinks
and cocktails. Some popular brands are: Angostura bitters and Campari.

SERVICE OF SPIRITS

• Spirits are enjoyed mostly when they are in their finest form called liqueur brandy or
liqueur whisky.

• Most spirits are taken as otherwise before dinner drinks diluted with suitable aerated
drinks or water.

• All Spirits are measured at 30mls in internationally or the multiples of thereof.

• Spirits service depends heavily on customer wishes and requirements. Guest need to have
personal preference whether they require ice, warm, or cold mixer even glass type.

• But traditionally long and short tumbler glasses are used. Important thing is guest needed
to be asked if they would like single or double tot and whether they will straight or on the
rocks.

• Serving spirits with plenty of ice is referred to as on the rocks (a short drink).

• Spirits can also be diluted (long drink) where a great tradition has been established what
aerated drink to be served with which spirit.

• Brandy is served as spirit where by tot measure of brandy are 30mls internationally or the
multiple of thereof, normally brandy balloon glass is used
Drink Popular Addition

Brandy None/lemonade

Rum Cola/Lemonade/Blackcurrant

Gin Tonic/Bitter Lemon

Vodka Tonic/Lemonade/Tomato juice/Orange/Lime Cordia

Whisky Water/Soda water

Campari Soda water/Lemonade

Liqueurs None

Vermouths None/lemonade