The American Indians called it “Firewater” the French, “Espirit” the spirit of life. Latin’s “Spiritus” to breathe, a slow breath, Irish Whiskey uisce beatha (“Water of Life” in Gaelic) prononced Ish Ka Ba Ha…
Alchemists regarded distillation as extracting the spirit of the substance, in the sense of the essence. Since it came out as invisible vapor, it was regarded as a higher state than the physical substance from which it was extracted. Hmmmm can you say “spirits?”
Some believe alcoholic beverages were nicknamed “Spirits” because of the way people’s personalities or spirits changed when used!
Regardless of the true meaning, today I bid to you my friends the British expression “Cheers!”