Liqueurs

Liqueurs are sweet alcoholic beverages that have been flavored with fruits, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, flowers, creams, or chocolate. They typically contain 15-55% alcohol by volume.

Liqueurs are made by macerating flavoring ingredients in a base spirit for a period of time to extract the flavors. A syrup made from fresh fruit or sugars is sometimes added. The flavored spirit may be redistilled, filtered, sweetened, and colored before bottling.

Popular liqueur flavors include coffee, orange, mint, cream, anise, chocolate, berries, nuts, and many more. Well-known liqueurs include Bailey's Irish cream, Kahlua coffee liqueur, Amaretto Disaronno, and Grand Marnier orange liqueur.

Liqueurs originated as medicinal elixirs and digestifs made by medieval monks. As they gained popularity, versions were commercialized by pharmacists and distillers. Creative new liqueurs are still being developed today.

Liqueurs are commonly consumed neat, on the rocks, with coffee or tea, or in mixed drinks. Their sweetness and intense flavors allow just a small amount to provide accent notes. They lend dessert-like complexity to cocktails.

The wide spectrum of flavors, from the delicate to the bold, make liqueurs versatile for sipping or mixing. When used judiciously, liqueurs can enhance and diversify any bar.