16 Common Types of Alcohol (ABV, Proof, Ingredients & Info) (2024)

What Is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a substance that is a natural byproduct of sugar and plant fermentation. It has a wide variety of uses, but it can be distilled into drinkable substances such as:

• Beers
• Wines
• Ciders
• Mead
• Liquor

Drinking alcohol can be fatal, depending on the amount you drink. Contact a poison control center or 911 if you have taken an alcohol based-substance not intended for consumption.

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism have several treatment options. Talk to a doctor or treatment center to learn more about nearby available treatment options and resources.

Isopropyl vs. Methyl vs. Ethyl Alcohol

Isopropyl is a chemical compound made from water and propene. It is made through a hydration reaction or by hydrogenating acetone.

Methyl is the purest form of alcohol. It is produced synthetically by a multi-step process involving natural gas and a process called steam reforming.

Ethyl alcohol is a plant-based fermentation. To increase ethyl alcohol’s potency, producers distill the plant-based fermentation with high heat. This evaporates extra water from the original product.

Isopropyl is commonly used as a disinfectant. Methyl is frequently sourced as a solvent in industrial or commercial instances. Ethyl or ethanol is the alcohol most widely consumed in spirits, beers, and ciders.

Difference Between Distilled & Undistilled Alcohol

Distilled alcohol forms from heating the fermented plant matter at high temperatures to produce collected and bottled steam. This process creates higher-strength and higher-proof alcohol.

In contrast, undistilled alcohol is made by fermenting sugar or plant matter and yeast with water and heat. This produces ethanol as a byproduct. It is less pure and lower in strength.

Different Types of Alcohol Beverages (By Alcohol Content)

Distilled Alcoholic Beverages

Distilled alcoholic drinks, also known as spirits or hard liquor, vary in fermentation processes, ingredients, and alcohol by volume (ABV). Below is a list of popular distilled alcoholic spirits.

• Gin: A distilled spirit made from juniper berries and often citrus peel; it typically has 35% to 55% ABV
• Tequila: Contains 40% ABV and comes from distilling the center heart of blue agave plants
• Brandy: A wine that has completed full fermentation and distillation; it typically has 40% ABV
• Vermouth: An aromatized, fortified wine with herbs and spices
• Whiskey: Made by distilling a mash made of previously fermented grain and usually has 40% to 50% ABV
• Vodka: Made by distilling a fermented mash and has 40% ABV; it can be made from potatoes, berries, or even milk
• Everclear: Contains 60% ABV but can also have 75.5% and 95.% ABV
• Rum: Made by distilling pure sugar cane, sugarcane juice, or molasses, it varies in ABV from approximately 40% ABV (80 proof) to 75.5% ABV (151 proof)
• Absinthe: A distillation sourced from the fermentation of herbs and leaves; it typically has a 90% ABV
• Liqueur: A type of liquor that has been sweetened with various flavors, oils, or extracts
• Ethanol or grain alcohol: A twice-distilled, neutral spirit derived from fermenting and distilling a grain that could include wheat, corn, rice, or rye

Undistilled (Fermented) Alcoholic Beverages

Undistilled alcoholic beverages are a staple in many cultures and regions worldwide. Examples of undistilled alcoholic drinks include:

• Wine: A fermentation made of grapes and fruit, typically with an ABV of less than 14%
• Beer: Contains 2% to 4% ABV; typically made from fermented cereals or grains with fruit flavors and acids
• Mead: Made of fermented honey and has an ABV of 10 to 14%
• Saké: A traditional Japanese beverage made of fermented rice with an ABV of about 16%
• Hard ciders: Fermented from fruit juices and typically has an ABV of 5%

Malt liquors or craft beers can have between 6% to 8%. Some wines can be fortified with liquor and usually have an ABV of 20%. These include:

• White wine
• Red wine
• Sparkling wine (champagne)

What is a "Standard Drink?"

In the U.S., a standard drink is any drink that consists of 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is equal to about 0.6 fluid ounces or 1.2 tablespoons. Fourteen grams of alcohol is found in:

• 12 fl oz of beer
• 5 fl oz of wine
• 8 ounces of malt liquor
• 1.5 fl oz of an 80-proof distilled spirit

Different brands and types of alcohol vary in alcohol content. The effects of alcohol on the body depend on your blood alcohol content (BAC). The liver can only process approximately one standard drink per hour.

Although the standard drink amounts are useful for following health guidelines, they don’t always reflect common serving sizes. Likewise, while the alcohol concentrations listed are considered typical, there is significant variability in alcohol content within each alcoholic beverage.

Drinking in Moderation

Moderate drinking is considered two drinks or less daily for men and one for women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults not drink. If they do choose to drink, they should drink in moderation.

— CDC Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol

How Much is Too Much Alcohol?

Drinking five or more drinks for men or four or more for women within 2 hours is considered binge drinking. Consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more for women in a single session on 5 or more days in a month is considered heavy drinking.

What are the Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol?

Alcohol Types FAQ