Liqueurs
Liqueurs represent a vast and variable category of alcoholic spirits, distinguished by the fact that they are flavored with, well, almost anything. Fruit-flavored liqueurs like triple sec are well-known to most drinkers, but there are also cocoa-flavored liqueurs (creme de cacao), cream-infused liqueurs (Baileys, et al.), coffee-flavored liqueurs (Kahlua), whiskey-flavored liqueurs (Drambuie, et al.), and nut-flavored liqueurs (Frangelico, and many more). Bitter, herbal liqueurs represent a huge category of this segment, with amari being a specific sub-category of bittersweet liqueurs that has a devout following. (It’s also a separate category of coverage here at Drinkhacker.) Many of these herbal liqueurs are derived from ancient medicinal recipes. Liqueurs can vary wildly in alcoholic content and can be consumed neat, on the rocks, or — most commonly — as a component in any number of cocktails.
Top Liqueurs Posts:
A Brief History of Orange Flavored Liqueurs
St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Drambuie 15 Liqueur
Amaro Lucano is one of the many delightful amari of Italy, and it continues to make inroads in the U.S. market, where it only recently returned for sale. Now, consumers who want the bracing flavor of Lucano without the booze have a new option: Amaro Lucano Non-Alcoholic. How’s it made? I’m not sure. The details…
Ancho Reyes’ chile liqueur has quietly built a following among mixologists for its original (ancho chile) and verde varieties, especially as a go-to for spicy margaritas and other classic cocktails. Recently, the Campari-owned brand released its first new product since 2017: Ancho Reyes Barrica. Ancho Reyes Barrica is a barrel-aged version of the red chile…
Virginia’s Copper Fox Distillery has been mixing up impressive craft cocktails at both their Sperryville and Williamsburg locations since the state loosened restrictions on on-site beverage sales (which still aren’t loose enough, if you ask most Virginia distillers). It’s no surprise then that the distillery has added a cocktail-friendly amaro to its lineup. Amaro y…
Curious Elixirs is a new company pushing booze-free, bottled (and canned) cocktails, largely inspired by classic options and particularly heavy on fresh juices. The company has a rotating collection of recipes denoted exclusively by number. The company’s up to 8 now, with more surely on the way — though note that recipes do sell out.…
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some festivities in the form of holiday revelry. Naturally, the holidays mean gift-giving time is nigh, and you’re going to want recommendations for what to wrap up and stash under the tree. As always, this year we want your gift-giving to make a statement, but we…
Amaro Santoni is new to me, but the recipe dates back to 1961, including 34 ingredients centered around rhubarb and iris — in part a cultural reference to Florence, in part because that’s the taste profile they were going for here. A light, crimson-orange-hued “dolce-amaro aperitivo” lands somewhere in the DMZ between bitter and sweet…
Liqueurs made for specific cocktails are nothing new. But what about a liqueur distilled to match a particular rye whiskey? Sagamore Spirit recently released their own amaro, and it’s designed to be used in a Black Manhattan alongside their Maryland-style rye. That’s about as specific as they come! In the brand’s own words: Sagamore Spirit…
New amaro Amante 1530 is billed as “an innovative twist on an old classic,” but when you get down to it, it’s a lot closer to one familiar standby than you’d think. Boasting Sting and Trudie Styler as investors, this Aperol clone is flavored with Italian orange, ginger, and honeysuckle, and it carries the familiar…
As the holidays approach, cocktails will continue to get sweeter and sweeter, which means folks will be increasingly reaching for the Baileys, Kahlua, and chocolate-flavored liqueurs for their celebratory tipples. We’ve covered a number of Austria-based Mozart‘s choco-centric liqueurs over the years, but not these two, a coffee-meets-chocolate expression and a daring white chocolate offering.…
As product names go, Amaricano — an American amaro — is pretty genius. The brainchild of Seattle-based Fast Penny Spirits, the company produces two amari inspired by Italian recipes — one dark, one a bright shade of yellow. Both products support women in business, with 3% of revenues donated to woman-focused nonprofits. So the charitable…