What is a liqueur?

Liqueurs are amazing and we love them. There are so many out there with all different types of infusions, flavors, and colors. While our products are already pre-mixed and ready to go, we always recommend getting creative with our recipes, and liqueurs will be a great place to start.

So what exactly is a liqueur?

A liqueur is a type of alcoholic beverage that is made by infusing spirits with fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, or cream and sweetening it with sugar or other sweeteners.

Liqueurs are typically sweeter and lower in alcohol content compared to other spirits, with an alcohol content ranging from 15-30% by volume.

Some popular examples of liqueurs that you've probably had, or at least seen on bar shelves, include:

Bailey's Irish Cream: A popular cream liqueur made from Irish whiskey, cream, and chocolate. It's often enjoyed on its own over ice or as a little extra morning chill factor in your coffee.

Jagermeister: In addition to being that drink you can never have again, Jagermeister is adored for it's herbal and licorice flavored properties. The name "Jägermeister" means "hunt master" in German and is a reference to the liqueur's origins as a traditional hunting schnapps due to it's easy drinkability and lower alcohol content (around 35-50%).

Triple Sec: Triple sec is a type of orange-flavored liqueur that is made from the peel of bitter and sweet oranges. It is typically between 30-40% alcohol by volume and is used in a huge majority of cocktails as a basic sweetener. The name "triple sec" is French for "triple dry" and refers to the fact that it is three times distilled.

*Cointreau is also a great substitute and vice versa for Triple Sec as they are both orange based liqueurs, but Cointreau is seen a premium version.*

Drambuie: Drambuie is a Scottish liqueur made from Scotch whisky, honey, and a unique blend of herbs and spices. It is less common than triple sec or amaretto, but it pairs beautifully with coffee drinks, both iced and hot.

Amaretto: Amaretto is a type of liqueur that is made from almonds, apricot pits, or both. It is a sweet, almond-flavored liqueur that is typically between 20-30% alcohol by volume and it is 100% delicious if you've got a sweet tooth. If you've ever had Disaronno or Luxardo, you've had an amaretto!

Insider Recipe Tip: Amaretto sour with egg white and a touch of bourbon is the perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and delivers some heat on the finish. 10/10 would recommend to impress your friends or spouse.

So how can I use liqueurs in a cocktail?

Liqueurs are insanely versatile, and this is why we love them. They can be enjoyed as they are on the rocks, or as a final touch on a complex cocktail. It's important to keep in mind that liqueurs are often sweeter and stronger than other ingredients in a cocktail, so it's best to use them sparingly, and adjust the amounts to your taste.

We recommend finding one or two recipes that you LOVE and then purchasing the liqueurs needed for those cocktails. Try them all and then narrow down your faves as you become more advanced in your craft.

Or just stick with your Bailey's and coffee and take this bit of knowledge with you today.

Thank you!