The 7 Different Types of Liquor To Make Any Amazing Cocktail
You drink it; you love it, but how much do you know about the various types of liquors? Did you know that you could make almost every drink using just these 7 different types of liquor?
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As a bartender for the last 5 years, I’ve learned a ton about the 7 base liquors we’re going to be discussing today. From their origin stories, their composition, to some of the most popular (and unusual) drinks made with them.
The 7 Different Types of Liquor
1- Vodka
vodka shot
We’ll start with my personal favorite liquor, Vodka. Vodka and I are in a very happy relationship of over 10 years.
No one can agree on the origin story of Vodka due to the lack of historical information available.
What we know, is that the original version of Vodka has almost nothing to do with what we drink today! Doctors initially prescribed Vodka and at that time it had as little as 14% alcohol. The first written mention of the word was in 1405 from Akta Grodzkie recorder of deeds.
Vodka distillation uses any plant high in starch or sugar. Using plants like rye, potatoes, through distilling a solution of crystal sugar. Yeast or ethanol can also be used.
The so-called Vodka Belt includes most of the Nordic states: Russia, Poland, Ukraine. Those countries produce as much as 70% of the EU’s vodka supply. They push for the term "Vodka" to apply only to liquors produced from grains, potatoes or sugar beets.
One of the main benefits of Vodka is that it is low in calories. With most brands containing only around 60 or so calories per shot.
Some of the most popular Vodka drinks are White Russians, Dirty Martinis, and The Cosmopolitan.
My personal favorite Vodka drink is called an Evil Blue Jay. It consists of 1 oz Lemon Flavored Vodka (Preferably Absolut Citron), 7 oz of still water(preferably bottled) and ½ oz of lime juice to taste.
My favorite brand of Vodka is Grey Goose the World’s best tasting Vodka. If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend Titos Vodka made in Austin Texas, which is by far the best value in Vodka.
2 - Gin
From my favorite liquor to my least favorite. I mean I’ll still drink it, don’t get me wrong, it’s just not my first choice and reminds me of my father! But I digress….
Gin, flavored by the Juniper Berry, has a ton of different methods of production. This has resulted in at least 4 different kinds of Gin on the market:
- Gin, a juniper-flavored spirit made by adding the Juniper flavor to a neutral spirit.
- Juniper flavored spirits are pot distilled and must have at least 30% alcohol by volume.
- Distilled Gin is created by redistilling Ethanol before adding the Juniper flavor.
- And last but certainly not least (especially among connoisseurs) London Gin (also known as Dry Gin). It uses a sweetened mix of ethanol and methanol.
“Genever” was historically the first reference to Gin. It comes from the 13th-century encyclopedia Der Naturen Bloeme. Some of the most popular drinks made with Gin are The Gin Martini, The Negroni, and of course The Gin and Tonic.
While Gin is arguably my least favorite liquor; I do love Bombay Sapphire. It is worth every extra penny you spend on it (and smells divine). The best value in Gin is a close call between Beefeater and Seagram’s Extra Dry. Beefeater is a little more expensive but has a quality you can taste. Seagram’s Extra Dry holds a special place. At my college, it was called “Bumpy Face” due to the bumpy texture of the bottle and the way we often felt when we woke up the next morning.
3 - Tequila
Tequila shot
I have a love-hate relationship with Tequila! It has been involved in a few of the worst nights of my life and at least 75% of the best ones.
Distilleries use the Blue Agave plant to make Tequila. The production of Tequila precedes the establishment of the town with the same name in 1666. Some believe that Aztecs created Tequila before the arrival of the Spanish in 1521.
The area surrounding Tequila Mexico is at the origin of most of the distillation. Mexican laws prohibit the production of Tequila outside of the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. And Mexico has historically been very possessive over the right to bottle and produce Tequila. In 2003, the country went so far as proposing that only Mexico could bottle Mexican made Tequilas.
Liquor companies in the US obviously had a problem with this. In January of 2006, The US and Mexico came to terms on an agreement. This agreement allowed bulk import of Tequila to continue. It also created the “Tequila bottlers registry” and accompanying agency. Their goal is to identify approved bottlers and monitors the registry!
There are many famous Tequila drinks, the most popular is the Margarita! I prefer it on the rocks, rather than frozen. Another popular choice is the Paloma, which is tangy and refreshing. Also, try the Tequila Sunrise.
4 - Rum
Dark And Stormy Rum
Yo, ho, yo, ho! Rum is not just for the Pirates of The Caribbean anymore!
Because of its versatility, you can use rum to make some of the tastiest and exotic drinks around.
Rum is one of the oldest liquors and its exact origin is unknown. Its roots are bringing us back to either ancient India or China. In it earliest form, its name was Brum. Malay people were consuming it thousands of years ago.
Distilled from sugarcane byproducts like molasses, rum is then aged in oak barrels. The multiple locations producing Rum are giving us a ton of different variations:
- English speaking countries such as Saint Lucia and Belize produce darker fuller flavored rums with a strong hint of molasses.
- In
Jamaica you can get “Rude Rum” which is much stronger and the most “original” style of Rum dating back to 19th century New Zealand.
Some of the most popular rum drinks include the Mojito (my favorite), Daiquiri, and the Pina Colada. My favorite Rum of all time (the best rum on Earth) is Rhum Agricole Vieux, which has been produced with the same recipe since 1931. My budget recommendation is Malibu, which is so delicious. I would drink it even if it wasn’t alcohol (maybe).
5 - Whiskey
Whiskey on the Rocks
If you’re looking to knock back a drink like a Mad Man, Whiskey (and it’s cousin Scotch) is your go-to.
A distillery makes Whiskey from fermented rye, wheat, barley or corn. It is then aged in wooden casks.
The first recorded mention of Whiskey comes in 1405 from the Irish Annals of Clonmacnoise. Whiskeys are often referred to by their age, but there is no evidence that Whiskey improves after a decade or 2. There are almost unlimited types of Whiskey, from single blends to mixes. There are also a ton of regional variations with the most popular being American, Canadian and Scotch.
Whiskey is often consumed straight (or neat). But there are a ton of excellent drinks you can make with it.
My personal favorite Whiskey drink is the Old Fashioned. It is also a good way to see if your bartender is worth his/her salt.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, cooling Whiskey cocktail with a little old-school whimsy, the Mint Julep is an excellent choice. And last but certainly not least if you’re looking to whip up an easy Whiskey cocktail at home, try out a Whiskey Sour.
The best Whiskey I have ever tasted is Glenmorangie 18 year, which is worth every penny. If you don’t feel like shelling out $150 for Glenmorangie, I highly recommend the Canadian Crown Royal. It comes with the famous Purple sack you can use to store your dominos.
6 - Mezcal
A Shot of Mezcal and its Proteins 🙂
Like Tequila, Mezcal is also made from the Agave plant. Though it can be any type instead of the Blue Agave used in Tequila.
The myth of Mezcal claims that a lightning bolt struck an agave plant, cooking it and releasing its juice. And it is unclear whether the people of Mexico had distilled liquor before the Spanish Conquest.
Originally the drink was referred to as Aguardiente, which translates to fire water. Mezcal is currently made from over 30 different kinds of agave with 7 common variations.
With a smoky taste and smooth finish, several craft cocktails use Mezcal in
If you are looking for the best Mezcal around, look no further than Pierde Almas. It’s recipe passed down through a family for generations. A great cheaper alternative (though cheaper is relative with Mezcals) is Vago Elote.
7 - Brandy
The last liquor we’ll be discussing is Brandy. Do not be confused with former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Brandi.
Brandy or Brandywine is produced by distilling wine and is often used as an after dinner drink. Originally Brandy was created by accident in the 15th century when wine was distilled to make it easier to preserve. It gained prominence in the 1700s.
The earliest record of the process for creating Brandy was written in Cyclopaedia or universal dictionary of Arts and Sciences.
Some of the most popular Brandy based drinks are The Brandy Daisy, the classic cocktail The Sidecar, and New Orleans staple Vieux Carre. The best Brandy that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars a bottle is Mcdowell's VSOP. A great choice for those on a budget is Jacques Cardin VSOP.
Conclusion
Did you enjoy my list of the 7 types of liquor you can use to make any cocktail you’ve ever heard of (and a few you haven’t)?
In this
I bet it made you want a drink now right?
Maybe it’s just me…
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