During distillation, water is removed from the alcohol that was produced by the fermentation process to increase its potency. What started as a fermented liquid with an alcohol content of about 10% by volume becomes a "distilled spirit" with an alcohol content of 40% to 50% (80 proof to 100 proof) or more. In the United States, most distilled spirits have an alcohol content of 40% to 50%. Blood alcohol charts assume this potency when describing the number of drinks needed to reach a given BAC. However, some distilled spirits have more water removed and reach potencies of 60%, 75% or even 95%.
Neutral Grain Spirits or "Grain Alcohol"
If nearly all of the water is removed from the fermented liquid, all that is left is the alcohol. Due to alcohol's natural attraction to water, it is very difficult to get ALL of the water out (which creates "scientific alcohol"), but it is relatively easy to get the alcohol content to 190 or 195 proof (95% or 97.5% alcohol by volume). Neutral Grain Spirits are nearly pure alcohol. Originally used as an ingredient in other alcoholic beverages or medicine, neutral grain spirits are sold in some states (including Indiana), as a high potency beverage in its own right. It is odorless and tasteless, but extremely potent. Since taste is not an object, production costs are very low, and most of the beverage cost is tax.
Everclear is a popular brand of neutral grain spirits. In most states where it is sold, Everclear is sold at 190 proof. Some states require lower potency, such as 155 proof. Everclear is a popular ingredient in some high-potency drinks popular with college students as a means of rapidly increasing BAC. Everclear is an ingredient in such college-student favorites as "Jello Shots" and punches such as: Tyson Punch (Everclear, Mellow Yellow, Kool Aid, Orange Juice, Sprite), Purple Jesus (Everclear and purple Kool-Aid, Jungle Juice (Everclear and any Kool-Aid), Smurf Piss (Everclear, Blue Kool-Aid and Mountain Dew) and Romulan Ale (Everclear, Vodka, Blue Curacao, Orange Flower Water)
High Proof Liquors
This category includes distilled spirits products that are sold at more than 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume). Products such as Bacardi 151, a 151 proof rum, and whiskeys sold at 120 and 150 proof, are popular ingredients in college student recipes, such as "Hop, Skip and Go Naked," "Skylab Fallout," and the "Zombie." Since alcohol more than 100 proof will ignite and burn, these high proof liquors are used in many flaming drinks.