That's right. Water.I've been cutting back on the alcohol lately*, and when I was thinking up potential BoW's it hit me - wouldn't it be neat to just talk about water? I mean, it's THE beverage.
For starters, it's a fundamental ingredient in every alcoholic beverage. Take whiskey, for instance. It's a well-understood fact that a large amount of the character of a given whiskey depends on the water used during fermentation, as well as the water added to most before bottling (to "cut" them down to standard alcohol content). Islay scotches, for example, get much of their peat and smoke because the island is covered in peat and salty ocean air. The streams at Lagvulin are so peated the water literally looks like strong tea. Other whiskey's pick up crisp mineral notes because the local water runs through granite beds, softening it up.
But water isn't just a condiment for my future liver condition, either. No mater how much I love a good lawnmower beer, straight water is certainly the most refreshing thing around. Research has shown that a simple glass of water leaves you more alert than a cup of coffee. Wanna make life easier on your heart and kidneys? Drink plenty of water. And I swear to you, from personal experience, ensuring you drink that eight-plus glasses everyone talks about is the simplest thing you can do to ensure instant-gratification, obvious health benefits. Most of us inadvertently stay relatively dehydrated; you will feel better if you drink more water.
Chemically speaking, water is amazing stuff. Water is pretty much the only liquid that expands when it freezes (most shrink). And it's also because of its unique molecular structure that so many solids, like salt for instance, can dissolve into it. Your blood is full of such substances, and because your blood is mostly water, they dissolve and flow wherever needed - rather than just settling like gravel in the creek bed of your veins. Likewise, the chemical ability to put things into solution is why adding a bit of water to a glass of whiskey can "open it up" and bring out flavours you might miss. Try adding a few drops at a time.
Chemically speaking, water is amazing stuff. Water is pretty much the only liquid that expands when it freezes (most shrink). And it's also because of its unique molecular structure that so many solids, like salt for instance, can dissolve into it. Your blood is full of such substances, and because your blood is mostly water, they dissolve and flow wherever needed - rather than just settling like gravel in the creek bed of your veins. Likewise, the chemical ability to put things into solution is why adding a bit of water to a glass of whiskey can "open it up" and bring out flavours you might miss. Try adding a few drops at a time.
Water. It's delicious. It's neat. Go have a glass on me.
* In my world, that means I'm down to about twice the normal rate.
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