doesn’t get scorched because the heat of
combustion is fully absorbed by the
vaporization of the spirits’ water.
Alcohol has a much lower freezing point
than water, –173ºF/–114ºC. This makes it
possible to concentrate alcoholic liquids
in winter cold or the freezer (see box, p.
761).
A given volume of alcohol weighs 80%
as much as the same volume of water, so
a mixture of alcohol and water is lighter
than pure water. This helps makes
possible layered cocktails (see box, p.
770).Alcohol and Flavor We experience the
presence of alcohol in a food through our
senses of taste, smell, and touch. The alcohol
molecule bears some resemblance to a sugar
molecule, and indeed it has a slightly sweet
taste. At high concentrations, those typical of
distilled spirits and even some strong wines,