Alcohol Consumption - Flammability

Flammability

Liquor that contains 40% ABV (80 US proof) will catch fire if heated to about 79 °F (26 °C) and an ignition source is applied to it. This is called its flash point. The flash point of pure alcohol is 63 °F (17 °C).

The flash points of alcohol concentrations from 10% ABV to 96% ABV are shown below:

• 10%: 120 °F (49 °C)—wine
• 20%: 97 °F (36 °C)—fortified wine
• 30%: 84 °F (29 °C)
• 40%: 79 °F (26 °C)—typical whiskey
• 50%: 75 °F (24 °C)—strong whiskey
• 60%: 72 °F (22 °C)
• 70%: 70 °F (21 °C)—absinthe
• 80%: 68 °F (20 °C)
• 90%: 63 °F (17 °C)—neutral grain spirit
• 96%: 63 °F (17 °C)

Beverages that have a low concentration of alcohol will burn if sufficiently heated and an ignition source (such as an electric spark or a match) is applied to them. For example, the flash point of ordinary wine containing 12.5% alcohol is about 120 °F (49 °C).