proof spirit

noun

: an alcoholic liquor or mixture of ethanol and water that contains 50 percent ethanol by volume at 60°F (16°C)

Examples of proof spirit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One serving equals a 5-ounce glass of wine, 2-ounce glass of beer, or 1.5-ounce shot of 80 proof spirits. —Alisa Bowman, Good Housekeeping, 21 June 2023

It’s been two years since Iowa’s Templeton Rye released a barrel-strength whiskey, and this year this high-proof spirit has returned with a bang. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2022

Fever Tree sparkling grapefruit soda plays nicely with just about every zero-proof spirit. —Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022

At Elvie’s in Jackson, Mississippi, the Lucy-tini is an herbal lemon drop martini that features a zero-proof spirit, AMASS Riverine, that is packed with traditional gin botanicals. —Aly Walansky, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022

While bar manager Sörine Anderson leads the cocktail program that includes four non-alcoholic options like the Old Fashioned made with the zero-proof spirit Ghia. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2021

Many brands had tried, and failed, to market shochu as a lower-proof spirit. —TheWeek, 5 Sep. 2020

Falowitz is encouraged by Mizu's success as a higher-proof spirit — at the standard 35 percent A.B.V., it's sold alongside vodka and gin — and says competitors like Iichiko are taking note and pivoting similarly. —TheWeek, 5 Sep. 2020

Crum and Sarathy also suggest 180 proof spirits, which have 90% ethanol, or higher. —Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

proof spirit

noun

ˈprüf- 

1

: an alcoholic liquor or mixture of alcohol and water containing 50 percent ethanol by volume at 60° F (15.6°C)

2

British : liquor that weighs ¹²/₁₃ of an equal measure of distilled water or contains 57.10 percent by volume of alcohol