The Origin of "Spirits": A Supernatural History of Alcohol

By: Terry Barga

Ever wonder why we call bourbon, rum, and vodka spirits? It's not just a poetic term or clever branding—this word has centuries of intrigue, mysticism, and science behind it. For those who love a good pour and a great story, here's how the term "spirits" came to define our favorite distilled beverages.

The earliest known use of "spirits" in connection with alcohol dates back to ancient alchemy. Long before modern chemistry existed, alchemists in the Middle East and Europe believed they could extract the very essence—or "spirit"—of a substance through distillation. When alcohol was distilled, it evaporated, condensed, and reappeared as a more potent liquid. To them, this invisible vapor that transformed into something powerful was no less than the spirit of the original material.

In fact, the word alcohol itself is rooted in the Arabic al-kuḥl, initially referring to a fine powder used for eyeliner, but later expanding to mean the essence of any substance. Alchemists believed that the "spirit" of wine could be extracted through this mystical process, leaving behind an elixir that could warm the body and elevate the mind.

The science of distillation only strengthened the mystical metaphor. When you heat a fermented liquid like wine or mash, the alcohol rises as vapor and condenses into a new, purer liquid. Early distillers saw this transformation as drawing out the soul of the drink.

They didn't understand molecular chemistry, but they did know that what came out of their alembics was stronger, clearer, and far more intoxicating than what went in. It wasn't just a drink—it was something potent, volatile, and invisible... a spirit.

In many cultures, spirit is synonymous with the soul or breath of life. In Latin, spiritus means "breath," and this connection to life force helped fuel the word's crossover into the world of drink. Consuming spirits could be seen—metaphorically or even literally—as breathing in something powerful, otherworldly.

Ironically, during times when religious authorities condemned the use of alcohol as sinful, the same word that meant "holy spirit" also came to mean the very thing that could lead you into temptation. That duality is part of what makes the term so fascinating—and so enduring.

By the 14th and 15th centuries, European medical texts referred to distilled alcohol as spirits of wine or aqua vitae("water of life"). These were used in tinctures and remedies, thought to have healing properties.

Eventually, the term became less about alchemical philosophy and more about practical use. Distilled alcoholic beverages—whether made from grapes, grain, sugarcane, or corn—were grouped under the umbrella term "spirits." The name stuck, long after the mysticism faded.

There's something poetic about the idea that the soul of a fermented liquid is captured, refined, and reborn as bourbon or whiskey. The term spirit acknowledges the transformation, the ritual, and yes—the intoxicating magic of distillation.

So the next time you raise a glass of bourbon, know that you're sipping something ancient and storied. You're not just drinking alcohol. You're communing with a spirit that's traveled through time—one that's been called sacred, scientific, and soulful.