Over the last few months, the pandemic has prompted some unexpected news from the spirits world. It’s also revealed surprising changes in how people are eating and drinking. And in at least once case, these two trends have converged. The New York Times offers an inside look at a beverage trend no one saw coming: the surge of popularity experienced by Everclear as COVID-19 spread across the country.
At a time when people are using their quarantine time to experiment with new recipes and explore new things, a spirit known for its extreme strength seems like an unexpected choice. But as Alex Williams writes at the Times, Everclear’s sudden popularity makes more sense than you might think. This is largely because people have embraced using it as a sanitizer and disinfectant.
Williams notes, however, that this change has taken place as Everclear has sought to change its image, toning down its emphasis on its own strength. The article notes that Everclear is far from the only spirit being considered to fight COVID-19 — but its strength makes it one of the few actually suited to the task.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka, for example, took to Twitter to advise people against using its product as a virucide, although the company did produce and donate more than 325 tons of hand sanitizer to help battle coronavirus, according to its website.
Everclear is generally sold at 151 proof — though in California, regulations have led to a 120-proof variant being sold there. And for those looking for an even more intense approach to fighting viruses, there’s always spirytus.
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