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. | 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. |