The New Complete Book of Food

 The New Complete Book of Food

spirits aged in wood barrels. They get their flavor from the grains and their color from the

barrels. (Some whiskies are also colored with caramel.)

Vodka is made from spirits distilled and filtered to remove all flavor. By law, vodkas made

in America must be made with spirits distilled from grains. Imported vodkas may be made

with spirits distilled either from grains or potatoes and may contain additional flavoring

agents such as citric acid or pepper. Aquavit, for example, is essentially vodka flavored with

caraway seeds. Gin is a clear spirit flavored with an infusion of juniper berries and other

herbs (botanicals). Cordials (also called liqueurs) and schnapps are flavored spirits; most are

sweetened with added sugar. Some cordials contain cream.

Rum is made with spirits distilled from sugar cane (molasses). Tequila is made with spirits

distilled from the blue agave plant. Brandies are made with spirits distilled from fruit. (Arma-

gnac and cognac are distilled from fermented grapes, calvados and applejack from fermented

apples, kirsch from fermented cherries, slivovitz from fermented plums.)

Unless they contain added sugar or cream, spirits have no nutrients other than alcohol.

Unlike food, which has to be metabolized before your body can use it for energy, alcohol

can be absorbed into the blood-stream directly from the gastrointestinal tract. Ethyl alcohol

provides 7 calories per gram.

The Most Nutritious Way to Serve This Food

The USDA/Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines one drink

as 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.25 ounces of distilled spirits, and “moderate

drinking” as two drinks a day for a man, one drink a day for a woman.

Diets That May Restrict or Exclude This Food

Bland diet

Lactose-free diet (cream cordials made with cream or milk)

Low-purine (antigout) diet

Buying This Food

Look for: Tightly sealed bottles stored out of direct sunlight, whose energy might disrupt

the structure of molecules in the beverage and alter its flavor.

Choose spirits sold only by licensed dealers. Products sold in these stores are manufac-

tured under the strict supervision of the federal government.

Storing This Food

Store sealed or opened bottles of spirits in a cool, dark cabinet.