ardent spirits

American  

plural noun

1. strong alcoholic liquors made by distillation, as brandy, whiskey, or gin.

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ardent spirits British  

plural noun

1. spirits, such as rum, whisky, etc

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Etymology

Origin of ardent spirits

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Yet the nation's most famous glutton spurned ardent spirits for orange juice and lemon pop.

From Time Magazine Archive

Let us next attend to the chronic effects of ardent spirits upon the body and mind.

From Select Temperance Tracts by American Tract Society

Mother," he said in a feeble tone, "God bless you for having taught me to avoid ardent spirits.

From Olive Leaves Or, Sketches of Character by Sigourney, L. H. (Lydia Howard)

Ministers and christians, a few years since, were engaged in the use and sale of ardent spirits; but they were all wrong, and they now acknowledge their error.

From Thoughts on African Colonization by Garrison, William Lloyd

He drunk no more ardent spirits till the ten years had expired, when he called on the merchant, and informed him that the conditions of the obligation had been, on his part, fulfilled.

From Select Temperance Tracts by American Tract Society