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neutral spirits
noun
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: ethanol of 190 or higher proof used especially for blending other alcoholic liquors
Examples of neutral spirits in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Go for something with robust flavor; this is not the place for neutral spirits such as vodka.
—M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023
Additionally, neutral spirits are not allowed to be used, but coloring, flavoring and blending elements are.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 July 2022
These are combinations of grain neutral spirits and flavoring, with an initial rollout that includes Apple Pie, Coconut, Blackberry and Oatmeal Cookie.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 July 2022
Because it’s made with grain-neutral spirits, Kentucky 74 can be made consistent with every batch, and the negligible alcohol content leaves it at the same ABV as kombucha.
—Dahlia Ghabour, The Courier-Journal, 4 Aug. 2020
According to Butters, the base ethanol Eight Oaks uses is a neutral spirit—a highly concentrated ethanol—which stands at around 95 percent alcohol.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2020
To be classified as tequila, a spirit must be at least 51% derived from blue agave (with the rest made up from another neutral spirit), though many brands today up the ante and use 100 percent blue agave.
—Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 7 June 2019
The botanicals are macerated (rather than heated, which is called an infusion) in the neutral spirit at room temperature.
—Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2018
Place in a clean glass container and cover with high-proof neutral spirits of your choice.
—Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, 24 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'neutral spirits.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1919, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near neutral spirits
Cite this Entry
“Neutral spirits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutral%20spirits. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
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