Making a home bar with different types of spirits was a really hectic task for me. Even after my new house warmed up, I wasn’t much interested in setting up a small home bar. But when I visited one my friend’s mini bar set up inside the house, it struck me. Ever found yourself staring at a long shelf of bottles in a liquor store or a bar, feeling overwhelmed by seeing many varieties of options? I was in that position there.
So I just planned to set up a small one there and the only condition my parents said was only store minimal and drink with self control. I just know that they are never gonna allow thousands of bottles in there, so I could choose from all kinds. This made me do some research on it and will share it with you.
What are Spirits?
The spirits are made from different things like fruits, grains, or other things that have fermented sugar in it. It is mostly powerful than any drink and can make the human body and brain out of balance and focus, if it used excessively.
There are many different types of spirits in various shapes of bottles in the market. The distillation makes the spirit more definable and usage.
Distilled Spirit- Let’s Get Technical and Not Boring
But one weekend, after reading up on how spirits are made, I tried distilling water in my kitchen. I thought it was simple. Spoiler alert- It wasn’t! It resulted with a cloud of steam and burnt pans. Now I understand the process of distillation much more.
Distillation is essentially heating a liquid (like a fermented mash of grains or fruits) to separate the alcohol from water. This creates a concentrated, flavorful, and potent liquid or a distilled spirit. It’s a fascinating mix of chemistry and art, and trust me, after my kitchen disaster, I’m happy to leave it to the professionals!
The Difference Between Spirit vs. Liquor
At dinner one night, one of my friends said, “I love spirits like Baileys and Kahlua.” Okay, so I couldn’t help myself and just had to correct them with my knowledge from the alcohol encyclopedia mindset- “Those actually are liqueurs, not spirits.” Another friend jumped in, “Oh, so all this time, I’ve been using the wrong word while sounding fancy?” We laughed and toasted to learning something new.
That is, spirits are something that can be distilled and unsweetened like gin or whiskey. But the liquor often refers to flavored and sweetened spirits, like liqueurs. Knowing this small difference can make you the star of the party.
Ingredients That Influence Types of Spirits
Ever wondered why vodka and tequila taste so different, despite being clear spirits? That was the hard lesson I learned about a blind tasting game. A friend’s attempts to argue that vodka and tequila were interchangeable in cocktail making failed miserably.
This is because the ingredients in spirit are different, so the method. Each flavor tasting is differ due to the ingredients added in it.
Fruity Flavour
For this, fruits are used as ingredients. Fruits like apples, pears, berries, and citrus or tropical fruits like mango and pineapple use for fermentation. To make this, fruit mash or dried fruits can be add and yeast is used during fermentation.
Floral
I am an extreme lover of floral smells and favors. Spirits with floral flavor have ingredient like herbs and flowers like lavender, geranium, and jasmine. This will derived from the distillation process at the same moment using specific grains or botanicals.
Cereal
The ingredients like barley, corn, rye, malt and wheat can be the ingredients of spirit. Among all, wheat is my personal favorite. Even to search for the best bourbon for old fashioned, I go for wheat bourbons. The grains are added after roasting in spirit production.
Vegetal
Are you the vegetal lover, yes there is such things in spirit also. Grass, hay, tea leaves, mint, and other fresh botanicals are added in spirit and it gives a very fresh taste than others.
Spicy
For all the spicy lovers, the popular ingredients of spirit are- spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper, and ginger.. This can always help me to get the perfect taste and strong feel than others.
Oaky
The oaky ingredients might be the peanut, hazelnut, walnut, almond etc. All are used by aging in oak barrels that give small notes of vanilla, coconut and cedar.
Smoky
The ingredients like tar, rubber, iodine or shellfish can give you a smoky taste. But I don’t personally prefer this taste and I can opt for grains over all this.
Sweet
The feel good ingredients in all recipes, sweet. Honey, caramel, maple and vanilla are mostly used ingredients for this sweet. Even if it has more calories and effects, it will be the perfect option for the beginners also.
Types of Spirits – How Many Different Types Are There?
In my research and experience, spirits are mainly four types.
- Base liquors
- Liqueurs
- Wines
- Beers
Base liquors
I just love these kinds and can say these are the core of all the cocktails. I will share some of my thoughts about some base liquors.
Gin
Gin always has a special place in my heart because of a special memory. One day I was finding a gin-based cocktail with my best friend. We spent hours in trial (with several hilarious errors) before coming up with something we called “Juniper Joy.” It tasted terrible-but we drank it anyhow!
Gin is a neutral spirit infused with botanicals, primarily juniper berries. It’s herbaceous and aromatic and can make classics like a Martini or a Gin and Tonic shine.
Vodka
Vodka reminds me of a game we once played, called “Name That Flavor.” My friend would mix different infused vodkas into shot glasses and we had to guess what are they. Vodka is neutral-tasting and thus the best mixer, whether for fruity cocktails or savory ones like Bloody Marys.
Whiskey
When I first tried whiskey, I thought, “Why do people drink something that burns?” I remember the first time I tried it and it literally burnt my throat. Fast forward a few years, and now I savor every sip like it’s a treasure. Whiskey’s complexity, even its bourbon, Scotch, or rye—comes from its grains, aging process, and barrels. It’s my go-to for sipping neat or mixing into an Old Fashioned.
Tequila
Tequila, what a sexy name! I have seen some party nights in my life. Once, during a party, we decided to do tequila shots with a twist and bite into an orange slice instead of the usual lime. Let’s just say the mix of sweet, salty, and sour was unforgettable and so were the happy moments it gave. It is made from blue agave, tequila is earthy, bold, and a staple for Margaritas and Palomas.
Rum
You know, I can make Piña Coladas best than anyone! Everyone kept saying, “These are the best I’ve ever had!” Little did they know, I was just following the recipe on the bottle.
The rum is simply derived from sugarcane, rum ranges from light and sweet to dark and smoky. Its special flavor and taste always feels like a vacation in a glass.
Brandy
Brandy, the best comforting thing in each sip. It always takes me back to a cozy winter evening when my family tried making a warm punch with apple brandy. We may have added too much cinnamon, but the spirit’s rich fruitiness can compare enough.
Brandy is distilled from the fruits, mostly from the grapes and is perfect for sipping or mixing into cozy cocktails.
Other Distilled Spirits – Liquor Names and Types of Alcohol
There are so many distilled spirits that you may love to buy from your home bar.
Absinthe
My sister is more into the looks and she loves this. Absinthe is a green and anise flavored spirit. It is made by distilling alcohol with botanicals like wormwood, anise, and fennel; it’s known for its herbal, slightly bitter taste.
It was once banned in so many countries due to its alleged use in hallucinogenic properties and it’s now a classic base for cocktails like the Absinthe Frappe or Death in the Afternoon.
Amaretto
Amaretto is the ebay in the whole almond-flavored liqueurs. Originating in Italy in and it has a very nice warm and sweet flavor with hints of apricot kernels. I first discovered it in an Amaretto Sour, and its taste makes it a popular addition to coffee, desserts, and cocktails alike.
Amaro
Amaro is a family of Italian herbal liqueurs, each distinct in its specific recipe of botanicals, but with flavors ranging from bitter to sweet, including Averna, Campari, and Fernet Branca. If you ask me the favorite use of it, I would say in a Negroni or simple Amaro Spritz
Aperol
Aperol is a vibrant orange Italian liqueur who shines brightly at any summer party. Sweet, citrusy, and slightly bitter, Aperol generally shines brightest in the classic Aperol Spritz. The lower alcohol content makes it perfect for easy consumption on sunny afternoons.
Benedictine
Benedictine is an herbal flavor treasure and made in France from a combination of 27 herbs, spices, flowers, and berries. With its complex profile, it’s very fun to play with in cocktails like the Vieux Carré, though sipping it neat shows it’s much more serious than that.
Cappelletti
Cappelletti can be said as the mellow cousin of Campari. This Italian red bitter balances out sweetness and bitterness in a really approachable way for those just finding amari. You can try it in Spirits for an alternate take on the classic.
Campari
Here comes the campari. Bright red and heavy bitter is the main highlight. Campari has been a cocktail staple since the 1860s. It’s the backbone of iconic drinks like the Negroni and Americano. It also has some bold flavor that makes sure it never fades into the background.
Chambord
Chambord is a rich, sweet liqueur made from black raspberries and stands alone as stylish as the bottle it comes in. Its richness matches quite well to champagne for a Kir Royale, or try it to add complexity to any berry-forward cocktail.
Chartreuse
Chartreuse is more than just a liqueur, it can be called a piece of history. It was made by French monks back in 1737, this very liquid green or yellow herbal spirit is a perfect recipe of 130 plants. The complexity of this can be very high, but the Last Word cocktail really makes its weirdness shine.
Crème Liqueurs
It can be called my classic love. With a thick, syrupy consistency, they come in flavors like chocolate (Crème de Cacao), mint (Crème de Menthe), and black currant (Crème de Cassis). Among all this, my favorite is A splash of Crème de Cassis in a glass of champagne for a classic Kir.
Coffee Liqueur
Coffee liqueurs such as Kahlua and Tia Maria provide a quick energy boost. Sweet, intense coffee flavors are excellent mixed into a White Russian and can even be served over ice cream for a boozy dessert.
Drambuie
Drambuie is a Scottish gem in different types of spirits. The scotch whisky has ingredients like honey, herbs, and spices mixed in. Sweet and warming, it’s most famously used as the greatest of stars in the Rusty Nail drink, where it nicely balances the smoky with the sweet.
Jägermeister
German digestif Jägermeister is not popular like others in this field. But the taset of herbal, syrupy flavor is unforgettable. This bold anise flavor bender gets pegged as a love-it-or-hate-it favorite served, probably best, as a chilled shot or part of more innovative cocktails, such as the Jäger Mule.
Galliano
It contains a bright, lime-like color and a flavor of vanilla and anise. Galliano L’Autentico gives a sweet touch to popular classics like the Harvey Wallbanger. It’s very vivid as well as beautiful to behold.
Hpnotiq
Hpnotiq is a sky-blue liqueur that’s an attractive beauty with flavors of tropical fruits like passionfruit and mango. It’s a modern concoction-a perfect splash to create vibrant drinks such as the Incredible Hulk when combined with cognac.
Irish Cream (Baileys)
It is very creamy and indulgent. The Irish cream combines Irish whiskey, cream, and cocoa. Whether mixed into coffee or starring in a Mudslide, its velvety texture makes every sip a treat.
Licor 43
Licor 43’s sunny vanilla flavor comes straight from Spain. Whether poured over ice or used in a creamy Carajillo (coffee cocktail), it never fails to delight with its rich sweetness.
Limoncello
Limoncello captures the essence of Italian lemons in a bottle. Its bright, tangy flavor is perfect as a chilled digestif or as an ingredient in refreshing cocktails like a Lemon Spritz.
Maraschino Liqueur
Clear cherry-flavored liqueur which might surprise with a very dry finish. Adds an interesting dimension to some cocktails, particularly the Aviation or Last Word.
Midori
Vibrant green Midori gets everyone into the fun spirit with its melon honeydew flavor. Invented in the 1970s, it’s a nostalgic favorite for fruity cocktails like the Midori Sour.
Orange Liqueurs
Orange liqueurs are cocktail staples. Whether one uses the sweet Curaçao, the drier Triple Sec, or the more luxurious Grand Marnier, they add bright citrus flavors to classics like the Margarita or Cosmopolitan.
Pastis or Pernod
Both of these French anise-flavored liqueurs are best diluted with water or added to cocktails. Their flavor profile has the licorice qualities of absinthe but is much more subtle in its sweetness.
Pimm’s
Pimm’s No. 1 is the popular British summer drink. It’s quite fruity and herbaceous when served in a Pimm’s Cup-a refreshing mix of Pimm’s, lemonade, and fresh fruit.
Schnapps
From peppermint to peach flavor, Schnapps is an incredibly versatile liqueur. Peach Schnapps adds a splash of holiday spirit to your typical Bellini, whereas Peppermint Schnapps adds holly jolly cheer to hot chocolate.
Sloe Gin
It has very attractive crimson-colored and consists of gin and sloe berries, and possesses a tart, fruity flavor. It is one of the main components in classic cocktails like Sloe Gin Fizz.
St Germain
St Germain is a nice one that is made with floral flavor of elderflower and it is very sweet note to cocktails. Since 2007, it has become one of the fast-moving favorites among modern cocktail fans, the St Germain Spritz being a favorite.
Suze
Suze is one of the popular French aperitifs. The thing I do not like about it is the bittersweet gentian root flavor. It’s pretty earthy undertones and make it an interesting addition to drinks such as the White Negroni, which has been a trend now.
Types of Wines
Just like I shared major types from other spirits, let’s go through some important wines. Christmas is also coming, so grab some best wines for this Christmas on your mini home bar.
- Red wine: It is usually the wine that is made from dark colored grapes and obviously the color is red. When it comes to my favorite, I really love Pinot Noir and all of the red wines.
- White wine: This is also made mostly from grapes, but the grapes are only used after peeling the skin. White wine goes perfectly with lasagna and other meat recipes.
- Rosé wine: The chilled rose wine will be perfect for a nice party and for any refreshments or in summer vacations.
- Sparkling wine: It can easily be defined as the bubbled wines. It comes up with carbon dioxide and bubbles.
- Fortified wine: It can be explained as a distilled grape wine and adding alcohol similar to brandy. I personally do not recommend these kinds of wines at home. Madeira, Marsala, and Port are some of the best choices.
- Lillet or Cocchi Americano: Here the Lillet has a sweet and floral flavor, Cocchi Americano is a balance of bitter and sweet. Both are aperitif wines.
Major Fortified Wines in Market
- Madeira, Marsala, and Port: Among all the fortified wines, these three are my all time favorites. Madeira comes from Portugal and it has a very nice flavor from dry to sweet. Port is another fortified wine that I love to get a sweet dessert wine and it originated also from Portugal. Marsala is from Sicily and has a similar flavor to Madeira.
- Sherry: This originated from Spain and it can simply be made by adding grape liquor to white wine.
- Vermouth: It can be called both liquor and wine at a time. But it is not a distilled spirit and has a nice flavor of dry, sweet, semi-dry, and semi-sweet.
Beer and Other Fermented Beverages
Among my friends, beer tasting nights are a must at every party. From hoppy IPAs to smooth lagers, each brew sparked lively debate and laughter. In fact, we once gave it a shot trying beer with donuts, a surprisingly good combination! So this alcoholic beverage that fermented from cereal grains, most commonly barley will not be out of trend for damn sure.
There are mainly two types of beer:
- Ales: Pale Ale, Blonde Ale, Brown Ale, and Sour Ale, Porter, India Pale Ale (IPA),Stout
- Lager: American Lager, Amber, Dark, Lite Lager, Pilsner, Wheat Beer,
The other fermented beverages include sake and mead. They have unique flavors that would be worth exploring if one is adventurous.
How to Drink Different Types of Spirits?
I know that you may wonder, is it any method to drink spirit? But yes, the perfect method of drinking spirit can help you to find out the best flavor, taste and effect of alcohol.
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Pour 30ml into a short glass. Do not swirl. Smell softly. |
| 2 | Take a small sip. Swish in mouth and lick lips. Swallow gently. |
| 3 | Take a bigger sip. Let it mix with saliva. Swallow gently. No lip licking. |
| 4 | Pause and think about flavors, warmth, smoothness, spice, or smoke. |
| 5 | If it’s too strong, add water slowly until flavors are clear. |
Classify Each Spirit
Even though you tried the spirit perfectly and don’t know how to scale the taste out, I will give you some easy ideas for it.
| Scale | How to Rate |
| Smoothness | How easy or harsh it feels to drink. |
| Smoke | Type and intensity of smoky flavors. |
| Sweetness | Level of sweetness detected. |
| Body | Weight and richness of the liquid (light, medium, heavy). |
| Finish | How long and what flavors linger after swallowing. |
| Prominent Flavors | List 2-3 key flavors (e.g., vanilla, oak, spices). |
These are my secret tips and tricks to taste the spirits and identify the best for each functions, party and for making your dream home bar.
FAQs on Types of Spirit
What is the strongest spirit?
The world’s strongest spirit is considered as a vodka and its name is Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany.
Which Spirits are used in cocktails?
There are different types of cocktails that depend on the spirits used for it. There are many spirits like gin, vodka, brandy, rum etc. used for making it
Where does the word alcohol come from?
The word alcohol has roots from the Arabic word “al-kuḥl” that means kohl, a fine powder that used to darken the area around the eyes.
