15 / 198
THE BARTENDER'S FRIEND
secret. It contains about 51% of alcohol and is a distilla
tion. Among the ingredients believed to be used in manu
facture are peppermint, cinnamon, nutmegs, cloves, thyme,
and other plants. Benedictine is said to be manufactured
by some who are not members of the Benedictine Order.
Bitters are produced either by distillation or infusion. An
gostura bark, quinine, orange, rhubarb, and many other
bitter substances are used with flavor imparted by juniper,
cinnamon, cloves, etc., to produce the finished product. The
effect is tonic, cathartic, or mere satisfaction to taste. Ac
cording to their kind bitters are used as beverage, flavoring,
or medicine. Most of them contain in the neighborhood
of 40% alcohol. (See various kinds, such as Angostura,
Orange, and Calisaya.)
Boker's Bitters named for the manufacturer. (See Bitters.)
Bourbon Whiskey is essentially an American manufacture,
and a product of Kentucky. It is a distillation of corn,
which is the main distinction between it and rye whiskey.
It requires about 9 years to ripen or mature the best Bour
bon, and additional time is of benefit. Whiskey contain
ing 50% of alcohol is 100 proof. (See Whiskey.)
Brandy is the product which results from the distillation of a
fermented fruit juice such as wine or cider. The fruits
commonly used for juice are apples, peaches, grapes, apri
cots, cherries, etc. When taken from the still it has no
color, but turns yellow or amber when aged in wooden
casks charred on the inside. Carmel, also, is used at times
to give deeper color. Alcohol in brandy ranges all the way
from 38% to 68% by volume, according to the kind, age,
Dsn