The origin of the term Firewater evolved hundreds of years ago, primarily used in trade between Native Americans and Settlers. Pelts of hide, fur, dried meat, fine jewelry were all used for bartering with the settlers, which in trade, the Natives would receive Whiskey. Those traders then became aware of the fact that by diluting the whiskey with water they would receive more bang for the buck. Native Americans, realizing the scheme during the barters, resulted to a confrontation. Natives would take the whiskey from the traders then pour some on the fire, bad whiskey would quench the fire but good whiskey would cause the fire to multiply. It was this simple experiment that gave way to the term of “Firewater”.

Pelts of Leather and Fur in Trade for Firewater, Which Impacted This Nation.