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[[Image:Margarita.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A margarita, a popular alcoholic drink]]

[[Image:Margarita.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A margarita, a popular alcoholic drink]]

An '''alcoholic drink''' is beer, wine or liquor, typically made from grain, potatoes or grapes. Forms of beer and wine have been fermented for thousands of years in many cultures; distillation to create a liquor was invented by Arabs around A.D. 800, and quickly spread to Europe and Asia.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.

An '''alcoholic drink''' is any beverage containing ethanol.

 

The most common alcoholic drinks are beer, wine or liquor.  These drinks are typically made from grain, potatoes or grapes. Forms of beer and wine have been fermented for thousands of years in many cultures; distillation to create a liquor was invented by Arabs around A.D. 800, and quickly spread to Europe and Asia.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.

'''''Alcohol has devastating effects on the health and well-being of people who drink frequently'''''.  "Alcohol is never good for people under 40, global study finds."<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/14/alcohol-is-never-good-for-people-under-40-global-study-finds</ref>

'''''Alcohol has devastating effects on the health and well-being of people who drink frequently'''''.  "Alcohol is never good for people under 40, global study finds."<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/14/alcohol-is-never-good-for-people-under-40-global-study-finds</ref>

==Drinking==

==Drinking==

The drinking of alcoholic beverages is surrounded by many rituals—and since it produced fighting and violence, by criminal controls. Alcoholics become addicted and are useful targets for taxation.  In the 1840-1930 era, prohibition was a worldwide movement, especially led by evangelical Protestants, to stop the manufacture and sale of beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is highly illegal in most Islamic countries, and is considered a sin or forbidden in some Protestant denominations.

The drinking of alcoholic beverages is surrounded by many rituals—and since it produced fighting and violence, by criminal controls.

 

Alcoholics become addicted and are useful targets for taxation.  In the 1840-1930 era, prohibition was a worldwide movement, especially led by evangelical Protestants, to stop the manufacture and sale of beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is highly illegal in most Islamic countries, and is considered a sin or forbidden in some Protestant denominations, primarily within fundamentalist and evangelical ones.

[[Taverns]] are public places that sell alcoholic drinks.

[[Taverns]] are public places that sell alcoholic drinks.

== Dry churches==

== Dry churches==

In the 1840-1940 era, many Protestant evangelical churches crusaded against alcohol and supported [[Prohibition]]. A few denominations continue their 19th century prohibitions against drinking, such as the [[Seventh Day Adventist Church]]. Mormons follow a law of health known as the [[Word of Wisdom]] which includes abstaining from alcoholic drinks. Many Baptist churches, including Southern Baptist and Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches also continue to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and use pasteurized grape juice instead of wine during their communion services.

In the 1840-1940 era, many Protestant evangelical churches crusaded against alcohol and supported [[Prohibition]]. A few denominations continue their 19th century prohibitions against drinking, such as the [[Seventh Day Adventist Church]]. Mormons follow a law of health known as the [[Word of Wisdom]] which includes abstaining from alcoholic drinks. Many Baptist churches, including [[Southern Baptist]] and [[Independent Baptist]] churches also continue to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages, and use pasteurized grape juice instead of wine during their communion services.

== Alcohol and Islam ==

== Alcohol and Islam ==