Buy a print

View artwork

Profile

 
return to ABOUT_NOW.html

SPIRITS


According to WHO statistics of worldwide alcohol consumption 45% is drunk as spirits. 


Spirits are the most modern of the alcohols, the earliest records in the west are of medieval arabs using distillation to produce high strength drinks. Spirits, liquor and liqueurs are all made by distilling grains, fruit or vegetables that have already gone through the fermentation process. This purifies the liquid and removes water which increases their alcoholic strength.


Spirit usually refers to alcohol with no added sugar whist liquor and liqueurs have sugar and added flavourings. 


SPIRITS / THE NUMBERS

Popular spirits range from 40% to 70% proof with a single measure [25 ml] of 40% proof representing 1 unit. This means that 7 doubles [50 ml]  provide a weekly intake of 14 units.