Liqueurs – What are they & how are they made?

When you need to add a hint of life to your dinner, dessert or favourite drink, liqueurs offer an endless variety of flavours to sooth your tastebuds.

The term liqueur actually derives from the Latin word meaning “melt” or “dissolve” – referring to the process that gives a liqueur its distinct taste. Liqueurs are something of a blanket term for all spirits infused with flavours and sweetened with sugars, although it’s something of a misnomer to group liqueurs and cordials together.

As a basic rule, liqueurs are liquors made from herbs, nuts and spices. These include Jägermeister, Kahlúa, Amaretto, Frangelico and the like. Cordials, on the other hand, are generally made from fruits or fruit juices, and include brands such as Triple Sec, Grand Marnier and Curacao.

Both liqueurs and cordials are made by distilling the alcohol through your choice of ingredients – fruits, herbs, nuts, or spices – which lets the alcohol retain those flavours throughout the production process.

In addition to providing that extra spike of flavour to your dinner and dessert, liqueurs can help start and finish your dinner party. Whether serving an aperitif – a before-dinner drink to help stimulate the appetite – or a digestif – the after-dinner drink that helps you digest a delicious meal – liqueurs are the perfect ingredient to keep everyone happy.

So if your liquor cabinet needs a little boost, be sure to pick up a few bottles of your favourite liqueur and invite them to dinner!