A concoction (sometimes spelle concotion) is -strictly speaking- a combination of various ingredients, usually herbs, spices, condiments, powdery substances or minerals, mixed up together, minced, dissolved or macerated into a liquid so as they can be ingested or drunk. The term "concoction" is sometimes loosely used metaphorically in order to describe a cocktail or a motley assembly of things, persons or ideas. Quite often various very pungent and spicy ketchups or hot sauces, usually based on Cayenne peppers are inadverdently -or for commercial reasons- called "concoctions".