Beverages are liquids or liquid compounds that are consumed by organisms for nourishment and survival. Many organisms require liquid in order for their organs to function. Water is the basic unit for this purpose but the term "beverage" more often refers to more advanced concoctions, of which water is almost always a fundamental ingredient.
Beverages can be alcoholic, meaning that they contain fermented yeast. In large quantities they will kill brain cells and cause the drinker to do stupid and even dangerous things. A few species simply become homicidal.