How Are Spirits Distilled?

A distilled spirit, also known as distilled beverage, basically is a type of fluid preparation created for the purpose of consumption and generally consists of ethyl alcohol filtered via distillation from a fermented material like fruit, vegetable and at times even grain.  

The expression spirits usually refers to distilled beverages which have low quantities of sugar and consist of nearly 35 per cent of alcohol by amount. Baijiu, Gin, Ginger Wine, Rum, Vodka, Brandy, Absinthe, etc are some of the well known forms of spirits.  

Distilled beverages which have extra flavour and a somewhat higher content of sugar like Grand Marnier, Frangelico are often referred to as liqueurs. Beer and wine were traditionally restricted to a maximum alcohol content of approximately 15 per cent by quantity, above which yeast is badly affected and cannot ferment.

The way spirits are distilled is they are heated to above the boiling point of ethanol.  The vapors that boil off are cooled (condensed) by various methods back to liquid form.  This process of often repeated to increase the strength/purity of the spirits.