What makes an alcohol a hard alcohol?

The term "hard alcohol" is informal and doesn't have a specific scientific definition. However, it generally refers to alcoholic beverages with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) compared to other types of alcohol.

Here's a breakdown of what generally distinguishes "hard alcohol":

* Higher ABV: Hard alcohol typically has an ABV of 40% or higher. This is significantly higher than beer (usually 4-8% ABV) and wine (typically 10-15% ABV).

* Distillation: Hard alcohol is usually produced through a distillation process. This process involves heating fermented liquids to separate the alcohol from other components. The resulting spirit is concentrated, leading to a higher ABV.

* Examples: Common examples of hard alcohol include:

* Spirits: Vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, tequila, brandy

* Liqueurs: These are spirits that are flavored with fruits, herbs, or spices.

* Fortified Wines: Wines that have been fortified with distilled spirits, such as Port wine and Sherry.

It's important to note that the term "hard alcohol" is not a universally accepted term, and some people may use it differently. It's generally best to avoid using this term and instead refer to specific types of alcoholic beverages.