The Halachic sources address the possibility of using "Hamar Medina" – literally, "the country’s beverage" – for Kiddush and Habdala under certain circumstances. Before discussing when precisely this is allowed, it is important to first define the term and understand to which beverages it refers. According to several Halachic authorities, including Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998) and Hacham Ovadia Yosef, the term "Hamar Medina" refers to an intoxicating beverage that is commonly drunk for enjoyment, and not just used to quench thirst. The word "Hamar" comes from the word "Hamra" – "wine" – and thus must resemble wine in that it has intoxicating properties. One common example would be beer. Here in the United States, whisky and scotch would certainly fall under the category of "Hamar Medina." In Israel, beverages like arak and cognac would qualify.
There are three views among the early Halachic authorities as to when one may use "Hamar Medina" for Kiddush. At one extreme, the Geonim maintained that one who does not have wine may use "Hamar Medina" for Kiddush both on Friday night and on Shabbat morning. At the other extreme, the Rambam (Rav Moshe Maimonides, Spain-Egypt, 1135-1204) maintained that "Hamar Medina" may never be used for Kiddush, neither on Friday night nor on Shabbat morning. In between these two extremes, the Rosh (Rabbenu Asher Ben Yehiel, 1250-1327) maintained that one who does not have wine may use "Hamar Medina" on Shabbat morning, but at night, it is preferable to recite Kiddush over bread. The reason, the Rosh explains, is that if one recites Kiddush over bread on Shabbat morning, it will not be discernible that he recites Kiddush, since there is no Kiddush text on Shabbat morning besides the Beracha over the wine. If one recites Kiddush over bread on Shabbat, all he recites is "Ha’mosi," which does not appear as Kiddush. Therefore, in such a case, when one does not have wine on Shabbat morning, it is preferable to use "Hamar Medina." On Friday night, however, when Kiddush includes a special Beracha ("Mekadesh Ha’Shabbat"), it is preferable to recite Kiddush over bread rather than use "Hamar Medina."
The Shulhan Aruch (272:9) cites all three views, and expresses his approval of the Rosh’s opinion, describing it as "Dibreh Ta’am" ("reasonable words"). Thus, according to the Shulhan Aruch, one who does not have wine or grape juice on Friday night should recite Kiddush over bread, and one who does not have wine or grape juice on Shabbat morning should recite Kiddush over "Hamar Medina."
Many people in our community have the practice of reciting Kiddush over scotch or whiskey on Shabbat morning. This practice is questionable, for two reasons. First, as we have seen, one who has access to wine must use wine for Kiddush according to all opinions. In our society, of course, wine and grape juice are readily available and not particularly expensive, and there is thus no reason to use a different beverage. Of course, if it happens that on one occasion, for some reason, one was unable to obtain wine, or if he is unable to drink wine, then he may use a different beverage, but this is not generally the case in today’s day and age. Secondly, Kiddush must be recited over a "Rebi’it" – approximately 3.3 ounces – and one must drink the amount of "Melo Lugmav" – approximately 1.7 ounces. Most people cannot drink this amount of scotch or whiskey in one shot.
To justify this practice, we might suggest that the people who make Kiddush on these beverages rely on the view cited by the Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) that one who prefers "Hamar Medina" may use it for Kiddush even if wine is available. Since many people prefer to drink scotch or whiskey rather than wine, they may, according to this view, use scotch or whiskey for Kiddush. It should be noted, however, that Hacham Ovadia Yosef does not follow this opinion. It is also possible that this practice originated among Syrian Jews back in Syria, where wine was expensive and difficult for many people to obtain. Even so, this does not justify the use of other beverages nowadays, when wine is easily accessible.
As for the difficulty in drinking the minimum required amount of scotch or whiskey, there is an opinion among the Poskim that it suffices for a "Melo Lugmav" to be drunk collectively by all the people participating in the Kiddush. Therefore, even though the one reciting Kiddush cannot drink 1.7 ounces of scotch, if everybody collectively drinks this amount, this should suffice according to one opinion. However, the Shulhan Aruch is ambivalent about this view, as is Hacham Ovadia Yosef.
Therefore, if, after the fact, somebody recited Kiddush over scotch or whiskey, and everybody collectively drank 1.7 ounces, they have fulfilled their obligation, but this should not be done. Kiddush should be recited specifically over wine or grape juice, except in the rare instances where wine is unavailable or cannot be used for some other reason.
This applies to Habdala, as well. One should use wine or grape juice, and other beverages may be used only if one cannot drink wine or does not have access to wine. One should not recite Habdala over bread. Interestingly, there were some prominent Rabbis who were known to use beverages such as tea, coffee or milk for Habdala, but as mentioned earlier, both Hacham Bension Abba Shaul and Hacham Ovadia Yosef maintained that the term "Hamar Medina" refers specifically to intoxicating beverages. In their view, one who recites Habdala over a non-alcoholic beverage (other than grape juice) recites a Beracha Le’batala (Beracha in vain).
Summary: Kiddush on Friday night and Shabbat morning must be recited specifically over wine or grape juice. If one does not have access to wine or grape juice, or is unable to drink wine or grape juice, then on Friday night he should recite Kiddush over bread, and on Shabbat day he should recite Kiddush over a different alcoholic beverage, such as beer, scotch or whiskey. One who does not have wine or grape juice for Habdala should use a different alcoholic beverage.
