Arielle Cruz
Alcoholic drinks are derived from a variety of grains and fruits. The process of fermentation breaks down the starches in grains into sugars, which are then converted into alcohol. This is how beer is made from grains such as barley, sorghum, rye, rice, oats, corn, and wheat. Vodka is also traditionally made from grains, most commonly wheat, rye, or corn, although it can also be made from potatoes, grapes, or other fruits. Whiskey is made from grains, including corn, rye, and barley, and is sometimes aged in oak barrels. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that is made primarily from corn. Sake is made from rice, and millet beer is made from millet and other grains. Gin is made from a variety of grains, including wheat, barley, and rye, and is infused with juniper berries and other botanicals. In addition to grains, alcohol can also be derived from fruits, which are naturally high in the carbohydrates needed for fermentation. Wine is made from grapes, and cider is made from apples, pears, and berries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol made from grains | Vodka, whiskey, gin, beer, bourbon, sake, millet beer, sorghum beer, pombe, chicha |
| Grains used | Wheat, rye, rice, maize (corn), barley, millet, sorghum, oats |
| Alcohol made from fruits | Wine, cider, brandy, cognac, rum, distilled spirits like vodka and rum |
| Fruits used | Grapes, apples, pears, berries, sugarcane, molasses, sugarcane juice |
| Alcohol made from other plants | Absinthe, tequila, heather-infused gin and beer, lavender-infused beer, cider, gin, vodka, tequila, malt whiskey, seaweed and kelp-infused gin |
| Other plants used | Artemisia absinthium (grand wormwood), green anise, sweet fennel, herbs, heather, lavender, spruce, seaweed, kelp, hops |
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What You'll Learn
Grains used in vodka include wheat, rye, rice, corn, and barley
Vodka is a distilled alcoholic beverage that can be made from a variety of grains, including wheat, rye, rice, corn, and barley. While it can be produced from almost any starch- or sugar-rich plant matter, grains are the most common base ingredient.
Wheat is a popular base for vodka, known for imparting subtle aniseed, pepper, and lemon zest flavours. It is particularly favoured in Russia and other nations. Wheat-based vodkas are often considered to have a ""cleaner" taste compared to those made from other grains or potatoes.
Rye is another commonly used grain in vodka production, especially in Poland. It lends a nutty sweetness, reminiscent of rye bread and brazil nuts, to the spirit.
Corn, or maize, is also used in vodka production, with the top-selling vodka in the U.S. being made from this grain. Corn vodkas are known for their distinctive hint of corn sweetness.
Rice is another grain that is used in vodka production, although it is less commonly mentioned than wheat, rye, and corn. Rice vodkas have their fans, who consider them superior to corn or potato-based vodkas.
Barley is a grain that is used in vodka production, particularly in Finland. It imparts a lightly nutty, bready, brioche-like sweetness to the spirit.
In addition to these grains, vodka can also be made from potatoes, sugar beet molasses, grapes, and other plant sources. The use of grains and potatoes in vodka production is so predominant in certain regions that regulations have been established to ensure that vodkas made from other ingredients, such as grapes, are properly labelled.
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Bourbon is made from corn, rye, and malted barley
Bourbon is a type of whiskey that is predominantly made from corn. In fact, bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn to be classified as such. Corn gives bourbon a sweet taste and provides it with a brown-buttered, honey, and creamy flavour. It also provides cheap carbohydrates that allow yeast to convert to ethanol, or alcohol.
Bourbon's mash bill—the specific combination of grains used—also includes other grains, primarily rye and malted barley. These secondary grains each contribute unique flavour profiles and assist in the fermentation process. Rye, for example, gives bourbon a spicy flavour, while malted barley adds biscuity or malty notes. The role of malted barley in bourbon production is to provide the enzymes required for breaking down starches in the other grains and converting them into fermentable sugars.
Bourbon is typically made from a mixture of corn, rye, and malted barley. However, some bourbons may also include wheat in their mash bill, which gives the drink a softer, mellower taste. Wheat helps to create a more subtle and gentle flavour profile when used alongside corn.
Bourbon is produced through several stages, including fermentation, distillation, and aging. The process begins with the mashing of grains, which are ground and heated with water to break down the starches into fermentable sugars. Yeast is then added to the mixture, which converts the sugars in the grain into alcohol.
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Brandy is made by distilling wine or fermented fruit juice
Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine or fermented fruit juice. The term brandy is derived from the Dutch word 'brandewijn', which means "burnt wine". It refers to the heat used to create the brandy. Brandy is produced all over the world, with each region having its own specific flavour and aroma characteristics.
The process of making brandy involves three steps: fermentation, distillation, and ageing. The fermentation process creates a base wine with a lower ABV than the final brandy. This fruit juice contains water, ethanol, and congeners—chemicals created during fermentation. Congeners add flavour to the alcohol but can be harmful, so they are filtered out during distillation.
During distillation, the alcohol content increases through the application of heat. The vapour is then cooled and converted back into liquid, resulting in an alcohol volume of about 35% to 60%. The brandy is then transferred to wooden casks, typically made of oak, to age for several years.
While the classic version of brandy is made from grapes, it can also be made from other fruits. The fruits are crushed to make juice, which is then fermented and distilled. Different fruits produce unique flavour profiles and aromas. For example, Calvados is an apple brandy from Normandy, France, while Kirschwasser is a German cherry brandy.
In the European Union, regulations require products labelled as brandy (except "grain brandy") to be produced exclusively from the distillation or redistillation of grape-based wine or grape-based "wine fortified for distillation". However, in the US, brandy produced from other fruits must be labelled with a clarifying description, such as "peach brandy" or "fruit brandy".
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Gin is made from juniper berries and other botanicals
Alcoholic drinks are typically made by fermenting sugars and starches from plants, including fruits and grains. While almost any plant matter can be used to produce alcohol, fruits and grains are the most common sources because they are naturally high in the carbohydrates required for fermentation.
Gin is a juniper-flavoured spirit, made by adding approved natural flavouring substances to a neutral spirit of agricultural origin. The predominant flavour must be juniper, and the minimum bottled strength is 37.5% ABV. The base spirit is typically distilled from something natural, such as grains (e.g. wheat, barley, corn, or rye), potatoes, grapes, or sugar beets. The gin's raw alcohol is then distilled with juniper and a selection of other botanicals, which are steeped in the spirit to infuse the gin with their subtle flavours and characteristics. These botanicals include herbs, seeds, flowers, plants, or spices added during production.
Gin is typically made from a base of fermented and distilled grains that create alcohol. However, the base alcohol can also be made from other ingredients, such as potatoes, sugar beets, or fruits. The botanicals are then added during the distillation process, infusing the spirit with their aromas and flavours.
There are multiple styles of gin, from compound to Genever, each with specific rules governing its production. For example, Genever gin, also known as Dutch or Belgian gin, evolved from malt wine spirits and is distinct from later styles of gin. London Dry gin is another style of gin that follows specific distillation methods, including the addition of botanicals during distillation.
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Beer is made from hops, barley, and sorghum grain
However, beer can be brewed from almost any malted grain, including sorghum, which is gaining popularity as a gluten-free alternative to barley. Sorghum has a higher gelatinization temperature than barley, which can lead to issues with sugar conversion and insufficient production of fermentable sugars. Nevertheless, sorghum beer has a distinct flavour profile that differs from barley-based beers, and it holds cultural significance in various regions of Africa.
Other grains commonly used in beer production include wheat, rice, corn, oats, and rye. These grains are often blended with barley to enhance flavour and create unique characteristics in the final product. The addition of these grains can also affect the colour of the beer, ranging from light yellow to dark yellow.
The process of making beer involves malting the grain, which involves soaking it in warm water to stimulate germination. The malted grain is then ground and mixed with water before boiling to kill bacteria. Yeast is added to initiate fermentation, converting sugars into alcohol and producing the final beverage.
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Frequently asked questions
Wine is typically derived from grapes, but it can be made from virtually any fruit or plant matter that can be fermented, including oranges, pineapples, cherries, elderberries, and dandelions. Brandy is distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.
Whiskey is primarily made from barley malt, while other grains like corn, wheat, rye, and oats are used along with barley malt to make different types of whiskey. Beer is traditionally made with barley, which is often mixed with other grains like corn, wheat, rye, and oats to increase the flavour and change the colour.
Rum is distilled from a sugarcane product, such as molasses or sugarcane juice. Cognac is a type of brandy distilled from white wine from a specific region of France.
Vodka is traditionally made from potatoes, but it is also commonly made from grains like wheat, rye, corn, and rice. Gin is made from wheat or barley, which are used as the base, and is flavoured with juniper berries and other aromatics.
