Spirits can be prepared by the following methods:

1. Simple solution method, for example, chloroform spirit I.P., spirit of ether I.P.
2. Solution with maceration, for example, compound orange spirit I.P.
3. Distillation, for example, aromatic spirit of ammonia I.P.

Example

Aromatic spirit of ammonia

Lemon oil, nutmeg oil, alcohol 90% and half the quantity of purified water are taken in a still and distilled. The first and second portions of the distillate are collected separately. The second distillate is taken in a bottle, to this ammonium bicarbonate and strong ammonia solution are added. The bottle is closed and warmed gently at 60°C on a water bath. The bottle is shaken continuously to dissolve the salt completely. The solution is cooled and filtered through cotton wool. This solution is then mixed gradually with the first distillate. To this, sufficient purified water is added and the volume is made up. Nutmeg oil contains both volatile oil and nonvolatile resinous substances. So, by distillation method only the volatile part is separated out. The first distillate mainly contains alcohol and the aromatic part of the volatile oils. The second distillate mainly contains water. Ammonium bicarbonate is not soluble in alcohol, so it is dissolved in the second distillate, which is aqueous. Ammonium carbonate decomposes in water to produce ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. To reduce this decomposition, strong ammonia solution is added. The preparation should be stored in a tightly closed container in a cool place.