The following types of alcohol are considered to be hard:

• Rum
• Vodka
• Whiskey
• Brandy 
• Tequila
• Gin 
• Cognac
• Bourbon
• Scotch

Origin of hard liquor

Many believe that medieval Arabs invented distilled alcohol as there is evidence that they were brewing it in the 9th century. By the 12th century, both Italy and China had begun distilling alcohol. Later, in the 14th century, hard liquor was prevalent in India, as well. However, it is possible that this was invented separately in China. Over the centuries, it spread through Europe with Irish whiskey and German brandy becoming very popular. Liquor was likely consumed for medical reasons in the early days. There is evidence to suggest that this was the case during the plague epidemic. 

Drinking hard alcohol became a worldwide sensation after the 14th century. In the United States, it was an integral part of the economy and whiskey making was a cottage industry. The Prohibition era in the 1920s led to a complete ban of distilled spirits, which was revoked some years later. Today, drinking liquor is prevalent in almost all cultures, except in many Islamic countries. South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Poland, and Japan are the world’s top consumers of hard alcohol.

Nutrition

One serving (100g) of distilled hard liquor contains:

While drinking a couple of glasses of hard alcohol occasionally is not necessarily a bad thing, overconsumption can wreak havoc on the body. Here are some ways in which excessive consumption of alcohol can be detrimental:

• Liquor affects the brain’s functioning patterns, which in turn affects a person’s ability to think clearly and act rationally. This can ultimately also lead to problems in the nervous system.
• Liver cirrhosis and other liver problems can be caused by overconsumption of hard liquor.
• When you drink alcohol, the pancreas produces toxins. In excess, this can lead to pancreatic problems such as pancreatitis. 
• Drinking also impacts the heart and can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or stroke.
• Different types of cancers can also be caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
• Chronic drinkers have a weakened immune system, which leads them to contract diseases or illnesses more easily than non-drinkers.

Hard liquor recipes

Although liquor can be consumed as a shot or neat drink, it is most commonly made into cocktails. Here are recipes for some popular cocktails:

• Margarita 
• Mojito 
• Daiquiri 
• Cosmopolitan 
• Whiskey Sour
• Irish Coffee
• Long Island Iced Tea
• Tequila Sunrise
• Piña Colada

FDA Regulations

Hard alcohol or distilled spirits include ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, spirits of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin, and other distilled spirits meant for nonindustrial use. The term ‘distilled spirits’ cannot be applied to any product containing less than 0.5 percent alcohol. Liquor does not completely fall under FDA regulations in the US unless they are artisanal products. Instead, liquors have to comply with the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) requirements. There are strict regulations and definitions regarding the governing of any type of distilled liquor.

References

alcohol.org, Types of Hard Liquor, https://www.alcohol.org/statistics-information/hard-liquor/ 

National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol’s Effects on the Body, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body