Hydrogen bonding in alcoholic beverages (distilled spirits) and water-ethanol mixtures

The hydrogen-bonding properties of water-ethanol of alcoholic beverages and water-ethanol mixtures of the corresponding ethanol contents were examined on the basis of OH proton NMR chemical shifts and the Raman OH stretching spectra of water and ethanol. Japanese shochu, an unaged distilled spirit of 25% (v/v) alcoholic content made from various grains, was provided for the samples; it is a high-purity spirit as it contains only small amounts of dissolved components, like typical vodka, gin, and white rum. The hydrogen-bonding structure in shochu containing some acids was found to be different from that of the water-ethanol mixture with corresponding ethanol content. It was concluded that, by the presence of small amounts of organic acids, the water-ethanol hydrogen-bonding structure was strengthened, at the same time, the proton exchange between water and ethanol molecules was promoted in shochu, compared with the water-ethanol mixture. The NMR chemical shifts of fruit cocktail drinks suggested that the hydrogen bonding of water-ethanol in the solution was developed by organic acids and (poly)phenols from fruit juices.