How does proof in alcohol work

What those old soldiers might have been testing for, had they known it at the time, was bottled alcohol served at 50 percent strength or more. Any alcohol listed above proof — 50 percent ABV — is straight up flammable and would therefore not hinder the ability of gunpowder to fire. Today, proof is more about labeling alcohol content in liquors for consumer safety and for taxable purposes.

The taxes for other alcohols — those more or less than proof — would be taxed accordingly based on their relationship to this proof baseline. The scale used to be different in the U. Whatever the case, the testing agent was gunpowder, whether it was poured into the alcohol or a pellet of it was soaked in alcohol. Again, the details differ, but the story goes that if the mixture flared or exploded, the alcohol was "above proof. In any case, fire proved that the alcohol was acceptable.

These stories explain how the term "proof" might have originated, but they don't really tell us how our modern-day definition came about. Jensen does mention the gunpowder test but says that in 19th-century United States, 50 percent alcohol by volume was decided upon as the "proof" standard for taxation purposes.

So that's why proof is always twice the percentage [source: Jensen ]. Other countries have proof systems, too, but they're all wildly different -- what's proof in the United States, for example, is 50 proof in France and But most countries do require that the actual percentage also be displayed, sparing international travelers a lot of confusion and unnecessary calculations. So if alcohol percentage by volume is the most straightforward, scientific measurement, why can't we just leave it at that?

Why does proof, an antiquated, redundant term, still have to be printed on every bottle of alcohol? The answer, we're afraid, might have been lost to history, just like the details of that gunpowder test. Rum was the beverage that inspired the initial proof measurement system in 16th Century United Kingdom. It is the main component of the ubiquitous drink caipirinha.

It is typically between proof, though it tends to be on the lower end of this range. Tequila is a very popular spirit that originates from Mexico. It is still the most popular hard alcohol beverage there today. Mezcal is a type of tequila that is Mexican, though it is growing in popularity in many other places. It is much smokier than regular tequila, but the alcoholic content is very similar, staying in the proof range.

Gin replaced rum as the alcohol of choice by the British as they expanded their empire. It is easier to make than sugarcane-based rum. Whiskey is very popular all over the world, from Ireland to Brazil to Japan. There are many forms of whiskey, including scotch, rye, and bourbon, all of which have different manufacturing processes.

Vodka is known to be popular in Eastern Europe. It is also one of the most popular spirits in France, Canada, Guyana, and a host of other countries. Certain types of vodka are by far the strongest possible alcohol that is fit for human consumption. Cognac is known to be a high-end type of liquor, with exacting attention to detail in its creation.

Liqueurs, such as Amaretto, Baileys, Kaluha, and others, are typically the lowest proof spirits. High proof alcohols are dangerous for consumption and in case of fire. Rum, tequila, gin, vodka, and whiskey are typically 80 proof, though different batches can vary. While some liquors mainly rums and vodkas can seem abnormal due to their very high proofs, these are still normal in the sense that they are legally allowed to be produced.

It is most common for flavored spirits and some higher-proof liqueurs. It is the most common proof measurement for spirits. Most rums, tequilas, gins, whiskeys, vodkas, and cognacs are 80 proof. Anything above proof is considered high. There are popular options legally available that are anywhere from proof all the way to proof.

This is on the extreme high-end of the scale. This was the initial starting point for the term proof in the United States. In terms of baselines, anything below proof is considered normal. Anything above is considered high. No, there is a physical limit to how pure alcohol can be distilled, especially in terms of creating a spirit. The highest proof that is available for purchase is Everclear at proof.

No alcohol that can safely or legally be ingested by human beings can reach proof.