A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z
A
ABV (Alcohol by Volume)
The percentage of alcohol in a beverage. In the U.S., ABV directly relates to proof.
Aging
The process of storing alcohol to develop flavor, often in barrels.
Aperitif
A drink served before a meal, typically lighter or low-ABV.
Aperol Spritz
A light spritz made with Aperol, sparkling wine, and soda.
B
Batch
A specific production run of an alcoholic beverage.
Barrel-Aged
Alcohol matured in barrels to enhance aroma and finish.
Bitters
Concentrated flavoring used in cocktails like the Old Fashioned.
Bloody Mary
A savory vodka-based cocktail made with tomato juice and spices.
Bourbon & Coke
A simple highball made with bourbon and cola.
C
Canned Cocktail / RTD (Ready-to-Drink)
A pre-mixed alcoholic beverage. Also called an RTD.
Cocktail
A mixed alcoholic drink made with spirits and a mixer.
Cosmopolitan
A vodka-based sour with cranberry and citrus.
Craft Spirits
Small-batch spirits made by independent producers.
D
Daiquiri
A classic rum-based sour with lime and sugar.
Distillation
Separating alcohol from liquid after fermentation.
Dry
Describes a drink that is not sweet.
E
Espresso Martini
A modern cocktail made with vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur.
Ethanol
The alcohol produced during fermentation.
F
Fermentation
Yeast converting sugars into alcohol.
Finish
The lingering taste after swallowing.
French 75
A sparkling cocktail with gin, lemon, sugar, and champagne.
G
Gin & Tonic
A classic highball with gin and tonic.
Gin Basil Smash
A modern herb-forward cocktail with gin, basil, and lemon.
Grain Alcohol
Alcohol made from grains like rice or wheat, including soju.
H
Highball
A cocktail made with a spirit and carbonated mixer.
I
Infusion
Flavoring alcohol with fruits, herbs, or spices.
J
Junmai
A sake term meaning “pure rice,” similar in tradition to soju.
K
Koji
A fermentation mold used in sake and soju.
L
Low-ABV
Drinks with lower alcohol content.
Long Island Iced Tea
A strong cocktail made with multiple spirits and cola.
M
Margarita
A tequila-based sour with lime and orange liqueur.
Martini
A spirit-forward cocktail made with gin or vodka.
Midori Sour
A melon-flavored sour cocktail.
Mojito
A refreshing rum cocktail with mint and lime.
Moscow Mule
Vodka, ginger beer, and lime.
N
Negroni
A bittersweet cocktail made with gin, vermouth, and Campari.
Negroni Sbagliato
A sparkling wine version of the Negroni.
O
Old Fashioned
A whiskey cocktail with sugar and bitters.
P
Paloma
A tequila cocktail with grapefruit soda.
Paper Plane
A modern equal-parts cocktail with bourbon and Aperol.
Proof
Alcohol strength measurement; double the ABV.
R
RTD (Ready-to-Drink)
A packaged cocktail requiring no preparation.
S
Soju
A smooth spirit made from rice or grains, often lower in ABV.
Sour
A cocktail style combining spirit, citrus, and sweetness.
Spritz
A bubbly cocktail made with sparkling wine and soda.
T
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.
Tom Collins
Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water.
U
Unaged
Alcohol not matured in barrels, common with soju.
V
Vodka Soda
A low-sugar highball.
W
Whiskey Ginger
Whiskey and ginger ale.
Y
Yuzu Sour
A modern citrus-forward sour cocktail.
Z
Zest
Citrus peel used for garnish in cocktails.
For educational purposes only. Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 21+.