Spirits and liquor are terms used interchangeably often since there is little difference. All alcohols that go through distillation are spirits, such as liquor and liqueur. Spirits can be flavored without adding sweetener, so spirits are not as sweet as liquor.

Liquor (/ˈlɪkər/ LIK-ər) is an alcoholic drink produced by the distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. Other terms for liquor include: spirit, distilled beverage, booze, spirituous liquor or hard liquor.

Spirit refers to a distilled beverage containing at least 20 per cent alcohol by volume and no added sugar. When alcohol is distilled, it is transformed into a spirit. Fermentation is the process of distilling alcohol. Brandy, gin, tequila, and vodka are the most common spirits.

Liquors and spirits are distilled alcoholic beverages. In most cases, spirits are liquor and liquors are alcohol. Wine, beer, and cider are all examples of alcohol, but they are not spirits.