Can a Brita Filter Fix Cheap Liquor? Inside This Wild JNC Experiment
- Jams 'N' Cocktails
- May 22
- 3 min read
Every once in a while, the internet throws out a theory so bizarre that you can’t help but wonder… what if it actually works?
That’s exactly the energy inside this week’s episode of Jams ‘N’ Cocktails, where Brad Brock and the JNC Destruction Crew take on a viral claim that’s been floating around TikTok: can running cheap liquor through a Brita filter actually make it taste better?
What starts as a simple curiosity quickly turns into a full-blown experiment—complete with science, skepticism, laughter, and a few genuinely shocking results.
Turning Internet Myth into Barroom Science
Rather than just blindly testing the idea, Brad kicks things off with a surprisingly grounded explanation of what a Brita filter actually does.
Inside the filter? Activated carbon and ion exchange resin—materials designed to remove impurities, odors, and certain compounds from water. The theory is simple:
Cheap alcohol contains more “congeners” (byproducts that contribute to harsh taste and burn)
Carbon filtration might trap some of those compounds
Result: smoother, more drinkable liquor
But there’s a catch—and it’s a big one.
If a filter removes harshness… it might also remove flavor.
And that’s where things get interesting.
The Experiment: From Bottom Shelf to “Brita Smooth”
The crew doesn’t hold back. They line up a full range of test subjects:
Bottom-shelf vodka (the real culprit)
High-end vodka for comparison
Moonshine (because why not?)
Tequila
And a questionable jar of strawberry moonshine that probably should’ve been left alone
Each spirit gets the same treatment: taste it before, run it through the Brita filter, then taste it again.
Simple. Brutal. Scientific-ish.
The Results: Better… But At What Cost?
1. Vodka: The Clear Winner
The biggest improvement came from the cheapest vodka.
Before: harsh, chemical, borderline rubbing alcohol
After: noticeably smoother, less burn
Not premium by any stretch—but undeniably improved.
This is where the theory holds the most weight. Strip out the rough edges, and suddenly the drink becomes… tolerable.
2. Moonshine: Slight Improvement, Still Chaos
Filtering moonshine reduced some of the intensity, but not enough to make it enjoyable.
Less burn? Yes
Still aggressive? Also yes
The takeaway: you can soften it, but you’re not turning moonshine into a craft cocktail experience.
3. Tequila: Smooth… and Soulless
This is where the downside of filtering becomes crystal clear.
The burn decreased
But so did the flavor
The filtered tequila lost much of what makes tequila tequila. What remained was smoother—but also flatter, almost indistinguishable.
It raises an important question:
Is smoother always better, if it strips away the character?
4. The Strawberry Moonshine: The Plot Twist
Then came the moment no one expected.
A murky, funky, borderline suspicious jar of strawberry moonshine goes through the filter…
…and comes out nearly clear.
Not just smoother—visually transformed.
Color: gone
Flavor: drastically muted
Drinkability: somehow improved
It’s the kind of result that makes everyone pause.
Because at that point, you’re not just improving the drink—you’re changing it entirely.
So… Does the Brita Hack Actually Work?
Short answer: Yes—but with limits.
The experiment proves that:
Filtering can reduce harshness
It can make cheap alcohol more drinkable
It can even dramatically alter appearance and flavor
But it also comes with trade-offs:
You lose complexity
You risk stripping away what makes certain spirits unique
And you’re not magically turning bottom-shelf liquor into top-shelf quality
As the crew ultimately concludes, this isn’t a practical everyday trick—it’s more of a fun experiment than a life hack.
More Than Just Drinks: The JNC Energy
What makes this episode stand out isn’t just the experiment—it’s everything wrapped around it.
The chaos of live reactions.
The back-and-forth debates.
The playful roasting when something tastes awful.
And then, in classic JNC fashion, the tone shifts.
The Unexpected Takeaway: Filter Your Life Too
In one of the episode’s most memorable moments, Brad flips the entire concept into a metaphor:
Just like filtering liquor removes what’s harsh…
you can filter what you let into your life.
Criticism
Stress
Negativity
Noise
Not everything deserves to hit you at full strength.
And just like the drinks they tested, life might not become perfect—but it can become smoother, more manageable, and easier to enjoy.
Final Thoughts: Try It… But Know Why
If you’re curious, sure—try the Brita trick.
But go in with the right expectations:
It’s not magic
It won’t upgrade your liquor into luxury
And sometimes, the “fix” removes what made the drink interesting in the first place
Still, as a conversation starter? As a party experiment? As a “we have to see this for ourselves” moment?
It’s perfect.
And that’s exactly what Jams ‘N’ Cocktails does best—turning a random internet idea into an unforgettable night of laughs, surprises, and just enough insight to make you think twice before your next pour. 🍸
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