Who distilled alcohol for the first time?

It's impossible to say definitively who distilled alcohol for the first time. The practice likely arose independently in different parts of the world, and the earliest evidence is ambiguous.

However, here's what we know:

* Ancient China: Some historians suggest that distillation may have originated in China as early as the 2nd century AD. They point to evidence of early distillation of fermented beverages like rice wine.

* Ancient India: There's evidence of distillation in ancient India, possibly as early as the 4th century AD. The term "araka," which translates to "distilled spirit," appears in ancient Indian texts.

* Medieval Europe: Distillation became more widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages, likely introduced by Arab alchemists. They called the process "al-itrid" and used it primarily to produce perfumes and medicines.

Ultimately, the origin of distillation remains a mystery. It was likely a gradual process with independent discoveries and advancements happening across different cultures over centuries.