Ambrosia, together with nectar, is the food of the gods. Originally, it is said that ambrosia was made from clean water, olive oil, fruit juice, honey, barley, and the like.
Though it was a food, it was also used as a fragrant oil applied to the body. It was at times permitted in limited quantities to humans who received the favor of the gods, and because applying ambrosia to the body healed wounds and granted an immortal body, some heroes grew as strong as the gods through ambrosia.
Nectar, mentioned alongside ambrosia, was the beverage of the gods. Though called a beverage, it is surmised to have actually been a liquor akin to red wine.
In the etymology of nectar, nek signifies death, and tar means to overcome. A drink that overcomes death—it is in this context that nectar became the elixir of immortality drunk by the gods.