416471 Fri Jun 29 13:13:16 -0700 2007 28 36 Spirits 0 2707280 I've been making cordials for a couple of years with varying bases: rum, vodka, brandy. But I've read that everclear's lack of taste draws more flavoring out of the fruits and spices I've been using. It seems, however, difficult to track down. All sources seem to say something along the lines of "Everclear, which is illegal in several states including California, can be used thusly ..." I ask you, which states is it legal? I'm in Rhode Island, for instance. Fri Jun 29 13:13:16 -0700 2007 59951 thinks too much 1 2707286 i'm pretty sure it's legal in RI Fri Jun 29 13:14:40 -0700 2007 2707280 104487 Karl 1 2707294 When I was in high school in RI (10+ years ago) we used to drink Everclear mixed with Tang (yes, very ill-advised). While it was certainly illegal for me to be drinking, I don't believe the Everclear was contraband. :) eta: According to wiki, it's illegal in California, Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Fri Jun 29 13:16:32 -0700 2007 2707280 105260 gracem 2 2707328 but wiki is using as a source someones personal website dated to 1991. When I tracked the source down, it lists 6 states as definitely illegal, 6 states as definitely legal (not including RI) and that leaves a heck of a lot of them out in limbo. Fri Jun 29 13:26:29 -0700 2007 2707294 59951 thinks too much 2 3311489 Wiki is not always a reliable resource. You can find it in Florida. Sat Jan 19 08:40:54 -0800 2008 2707294 155575 sanman 1 2707802 i live in ny, where it cannot be sold and buy it in ct, where it seems to be plentiful. Fri Jun 29 15:54:30 -0700 2007 2707280 17708 warrenr 1 2710036 Vodka should have a lack of taste. At least, to be sold in the US as "vodka" the government requires it to have no distinctive odor or taste. Everclear comes in two strengths: 190 proof which is not legal to buy here in California and 151 proof which is available everywhere. I'm not sure what the difference between the 151 proof everclear and 151 proof grain vodka is and there's no big difference in price. I normally use Smirnoff 151 for cordials since it comes in a nice bottle I can reuse. Sat Jun 30 19:00:27 -0700 2007 2707280 25310 Chuckles the Clone 2 2710530 I believe the main difference would be the brand name. Something I found out about recently with Everclear... you can't make 200 proof alcohol. If you had some, it would absorb water from the air until it reached 190 proof. Sun Jul 01 04:28:42 -0700 2007 2710036 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 3 2712379 This is fascinating. What's your source on this JK? I have slightly different information. My source was my physicist father who's chemist father bootlegged as a favor during prohibition. He said that you may find grain alcohol that goes up too 198 proof, but not to touch anything over 190. Below 190, the impurities are water. Above that, and your impurites are benzene. Can you come up with a logical theory that ties both together? After all, we both have a limit of 190 proof. Mon Jul 02 05:00:48 -0700 2007 2710530 59951 thinks too much 4 2715454 a couple of bartending books and wikipedia. Not the absolute most reliable, but it was a start. Tue Jul 03 02:20:19 -0700 2007 2712379 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 4 2761440 For chemical synthesis pure EtOh is available. It is quite costly, and highly regulated. Any plant capable of making it is more than capable of ensuring it has no impurities. Wed Jul 18 11:46:59 -0700 2007 2761298 87093 renov8r 1 2759717 If you're in RI, take a drive up 95 to NH. It's sold at state liquor stores there, but not in MA or CT. I don't think it's legal in RI, just call a liquor store to double-check. Tue Jul 17 21:18:00 -0700 2007 2707280 88180 heWho 1 3175574 Unless it's changed recently, the 190 proof is legal in New Jersey.. Mon Dec 03 11:16:53 -0800 2007 2707280 11980 MikeG 2 3175600 i used to get it in vegas...and when i was in high school, south carolina...mixed it with kool aid. ouch.... Mon Dec 03 11:22:49 -0800 2007 3175574 122578 TBird 3 3175860 Ack is right. I'd had my share of alcohol by the time I first encountered that concept and refused to drink more than the first sip - straight Everclear is better, seriously! Mon Dec 03 12:37:05 -0800 2007 3175600 11980 MikeG 1 3179315 I've purchased the 190 proof Everclear at a package store in EP, RI, about 6 years ago. I don't remember the name, unfortunately. Tue Dec 04 13:41:51 -0800 2007 2707280 92744 invinotheresverde 1 3299962 ive seen ppl at parties i go to with bottles of it. the liqour stores in hollywood have them but secretly. (meaning you have to ask) Tue Jan 15 22:41:16 -0800 2008 2707280 116567 skoop323 1 3315548 Cam still find it in NC. Sun Jan 20 19:28:41 -0800 2008 2707280 76025 mojoeater 1 3403787 You can find it in Kentucky. I drove from Ohio (where it is illegal) yesterday to pick up a bottle. Found it in a first store where I looked. Sat Feb 16 07:54:58 -0800 2008 2707280 166603 Sergykov 1 3464415 When I was in college, in New Orleans, a popular drink was Everclear and grape juice (Welch's, not that fancy stuff). Called it a "purple Jesus," for obvious reasons. Also: Friday night special in the dining hall. Good news -- all the beer you could drink for $1 -- we'd take a bunch of 32 oz. Dixie cups full back to the dorm. Bad news: it was Jax beer! (This was c. 1962) Wed Mar 05 18:56:12 -0800 2008 2707280 11300 Muskrat 2 3464831 That's funny: in Lubbock, Texas c. 1986, Everclear and Welch's Grape Juice was still called a Purple Jesus! Wed Mar 05 22:23:13 -0800 2008 3464415 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 1 3469090 Years ago I worked in a retail liquor store. I brought home a bottle of clear springs 190 proof grain alcohol. My neighbor took a big chug. He turned several different shades of red and green. After a few minutes of coughing he gasped " You can't drink that stuff straight, no way". Fri Mar 07 07:18:49 -0800 2008 2707280 171290 Paul Weller 1 3555351 i live in washington state and i can't buy 190 proof everclear, i have also tried and Idaho and they don't sell it as well. the two states the are near me that do sell Everclear are Montana and Oregon. i think that its like 15 dollars in montana and like 11 to 15 in oregon. i think that everclear does bring out the taste of fruits but it burns so much that you don't notice it to much. Wed Apr 02 19:00:29 -0700 2008 2707280 180260 toz1157 1 3811279 So, did we ever figure out if it is legal in NH? I am in Boston, but, I plan on camping in Epsom NH next weekend, I was told it is a must try! Tue Jun 24 21:10:52 -0700 2008 2707280 138333 meenleen 2 4189222 Not legal in NH. I just called and asked, apparently hasn't been for a couple of years. Thu Nov 20 10:06:27 -0800 2008 3811279 218451 chevrelove 1 4197642 I believe I've seen it for sale in NJ. Also, I don't think the lack of taste is what brings out the flavor of your additives, but the fact that it's higer proof then most consumable spirits. It would stand to reason that if the flavors are alcohol soluble, then the more alcohol in the solvent base, the more flavor extracted. Sounds right to me, anyway. Also, everclear is probably a lot cheaper to use than most other options. Mon Nov 24 07:06:54 -0800 2008 2707280 242446 crschechter 2 4398156 Definitely widely available in NJ...I use it all the time for making herb and fruit infusions for blending into home made liqueurs. There is even another brand of 190 proof juice I've seen...DOn't recall the name, butI think it comes from Poland. Sun Feb 08 09:42:19 -0800 2009 4197642 116047 The Professor 1 4199570 Everclear is available in SC. In fact my father's doctor told him get some and put a few drops in his ears to loosen wax. Personally I prefer to use it to make high octane Pina Colada Mon Nov 24 18:57:49 -0800 2008 2707280 145336 Wienerhound 1 4382876 Hey thinks too much -- I just saw 191 proof Everclear for sale at the liquor store next to Whole Foods on Main St in Providence. Tue Feb 03 05:25:23 -0800 2009 2707280 262818 newtorhody