Lena Savoie
Everclear is a brand name for a popular grain alcohol, also known as ethyl alcohol, with a 95% ABV. Vodka, on the other hand, is a liquor that is made from grains. While Everclear and vodka are both grain-based alcoholic beverages, they differ in terms of potency and intended use. Everclear, with almost double the alcohol content of standard spirits, is primarily used for creating other alcoholic drinks and has been linked to several safety concerns, including acute alcohol poisoning, flammability, and its role in sexual assaults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol by volume | Everclear: 95% ABV, 190-proof. Vodka: 20-40% ABV. |
| Taste | Everclear: Odourless, flavourless. Vodka: Flavoured. |
| Colour | Everclear: Colourless. Vodka: Colourless. |
| Toxicity | Everclear: Toxic. Vodka: Less toxic than Everclear. |
| Legality | Everclear: Illegal in many U.S. states. Vodka: Legal in the U.S. |
| Flammability | Everclear: Highly flammable. Vodka: Flammable. |
| Use | Everclear: Can be used to make vodka. Vodka: Consumed as a beverage. |
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What You'll Learn
Everclear is a brand of grain alcohol
The high alcohol content of Everclear can cause a rapid spike in blood alcohol levels, even in small quantities, leading to a risk of alcohol poisoning. Its high flammability is another significant concern, with numerous incidents of severe burns reported. Everclear has a flash point of approximately 14°C (57.2°F), and when exposed to an open flame, it can behave like a commercial fire accelerant, causing "flame jetting" and violent explosions. These safety risks have led to the ban on the sale of 190-proof Everclear in several U.S. states.
Despite the dangers associated with its consumption, Everclear has a dedicated following, especially among college students. It is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, making it easy to conceal in punches or other drinks. This has contributed to its reputation as a “date rape drug," with victims unknowingly consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol. University officials and public health experts have raised concerns about the risks of binge drinking and sexual assaults associated with Everclear.
In addition to its controversial reputation as a beverage, Everclear also has industrial uses. Its high alcohol content makes it an effective disinfectant and antiseptic. It can also be used in cooking, similar to vodka or rum, to flambé dishes and infuse them with a smoky, caramelized flavor. However, due to its extreme flammability, caution must be exercised when using Everclear in the kitchen to prevent kitchen fires.
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Vodka is made from grain alcohol
Vodka is a liquor made from grains such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, oats, rye, quinoa, sorghum, and buckwheat. It is created through a two-step process of fermentation and distillation.
Fermentation involves using yeast to convert the sugars in the grains into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The alcohol produced during fermentation, known as ethanol, is then distilled to create vodka. Distillation involves heating the ethanol to evaporate it, separating it from the water, and then cooling it to condense it back into a liquid form, resulting in a more concentrated form of alcohol.
Everclear, on the other hand, is a brand name for a specific type of grain alcohol known for its exceptionally high alcohol content. It is produced by the American company Luxco and typically contains 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof), making it more than twice as potent as standard spirits. Due to its extreme potency, Everclear has gained a notorious reputation and has been at the center of safety controversies, including risks of alcohol poisoning and high flammability.
While both vodka and Everclear are grain-based alcoholic beverages, they differ significantly in their alcohol content and intended consumption. Vodka is typically consumed as a beverage, with an alcohol content between 20% and 40%, while Everclear is primarily used as an ingredient or base for creating other alcoholic drinks due to its high alcohol concentration.
In conclusion, while vodka is indeed made from grain alcohol, it undergoes a distillation process to create a final product with a lower alcohol content suitable for direct consumption. Everclear, as a highly potent grain alcohol, serves a different purpose in the creation of alcoholic beverages, often being diluted or mixed to create a variety of drinks, including vodka.
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Everclear is illegal in some US states
Everclear is a brand of grain alcohol produced by the American company Luxco. It is bottled at up to 95% alcohol by volume (190-proof), making it more than twice as potent as standard spirits. Due to its high alcohol content, rapid consumption can lead to dangerously high blood alcohol content and potentially fatal alcohol poisoning. Its high flammability has also been linked to several incidents involving severe burns. As a result of these concerns, Everclear is illegal to sell in several US states, including:
- California
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Washington
To circumvent these bans, Luxco has created lower-proof versions of Everclear, including 189-proof, 151-proof, and 120-proof variations. While Everclear may be banned in certain states for beverage purposes, many states that prohibit its sale still allow the use of pure 200-proof ethyl alcohol for non-beverage applications, such as in commercial kitchens, industrial processes, and DIY projects.
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Everclear is highly flammable
Everclear has been the centre of numerous documented incidents of catastrophic burn injuries. For example, in January 2016, a University of Toledo runner, Janelle Noe, was burned over more than 50% of her body when someone poured Everclear onto a lit candle, causing it to explode. Similarly, in August 2024, two patrons at a Dallas, Texas bar suffered second and third-degree burns when a bartender added more Everclear to a flaming cocktail, causing it to ignite and explode.
Due to its high flammability, Everclear bottles featured a prominent warning on the front label, stating: "Caution: Do not apply to open flame. Keep away from fire, heat and open flame - contents may ignite or explode." However, the manufacturer, Luxco, faced criticism and legal action for removing these explicit fire warnings from its labels while promoting the product for dangerous uses.
The extreme alcohol concentration of Everclear, at 95% ABV (190-proof), is more than twice as potent as standard spirits and presents a primary danger of extreme flammability. This high alcohol content allows for the rapid consumption of large quantities of alcohol, leading to a dangerously high blood alcohol content and potentially fatal alcohol poisoning. As a result, Everclear has been illegal to sell in several U.S. states due to its high alcohol content and associated risks.
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Everclear is odourless, flavourless and colourless
Everclear is a brand name for ethyl alcohol, a grain alcohol made from corn, wheat, or rye. It is bottled at up to 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof), making it more than twice as potent as standard spirits.
Everclear is odourless, flavourless, and colourless. Its lack of distinct sensory characteristics, coupled with its high potency, makes it potentially dangerous. Due to its high alcohol content, it can cause a rapid spike in blood alcohol levels, even in small quantities, leading to alcohol poisoning. Its extreme alcohol concentration also makes it highly flammable, with a flashpoint of approximately 14°C.
Everclear's potency and lack of noticeable taste or smell have led to concerns about its role in binge drinking and sexual assault, particularly on college campuses. Its high flammability has also been linked to several incidents involving severe burns. As a result of these concerns, the 190-proof version of Everclear is illegal to sell in several U.S. states.
Despite the risks associated with its consumption, Everclear is a popular choice for creating mixed drinks and cocktails due to its odourless, flavourless, and colourless nature. It serves as a blank canvas for infusing and extracting bold flavours, allowing for creative experimentation in crafting unique alcoholic beverages.
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Frequently asked questions
Everclear is a brand name for a 190-proof grain alcohol, which is produced by the American company Luxco. It is bottled at up to 95% alcohol by volume.
No, Everclear is not the same as vodka. While vodka is a spirit that is often made from grains, it typically has an alcohol content between 20% and 40%, whereas Everclear is significantly stronger at 95% ABV. Vodka is made using grain alcohol as its base.
Grain alcohol is a pure form of alcohol that is made from grains such as corn, wheat, rye, and other types of grains. It is a neutral spirit with no distinct taste or smell, and it is used to make other liquors such as vodka, gin, or whiskey.
No, Everclear is not safe to drink. Its high alcohol content and potency can cause rapid alcohol poisoning, even in small quantities. It is also highly flammable, with a flashpoint of approximately 14°C, and has been linked to several incidents involving severe burns.
Due to its high alcohol content and associated risks, the 190-proof version of Everclear is illegal to sell in many U.S. states, including California, Florida, Maine, and New York. However, weaker formulations of Everclear are available and may be legal in some states.
