Guide to Liqueurs, Cordials and Aperitifs

Liqueurs and Cordials

Liqueurs  or cordials  are typically sweet alcoholic drinks that are categorised according to their flavouring agent.  Such spirits may be infused with fruits, nuts, herbs, spices, crèmes and so on, and many often use cognac,  rum  or whisky  as a base.  Because of their high sugar content, they are usually high in alcohol - sometimes up to 70 per cent by volume.  Liqueurs are not usually aged, but they are left to rest for certain lengths of time to allow their components to marry together harmoniously. Not sure what kind you'll like?  Our guide below categorises a number of liqueurs - choose a flavour you enjoy and chances are, you'll find a new favourite drink!

Flavours

Chocolate Crème de Cacao  Godiva Chocolate Liqueur  Mozart Chocolate Liqueur  Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur	Coffee Kahlúa  Sheridan's  Tia Maria	Fruits Cointreau  Grand Marnier  Limoncello  Midori	Cream Bailey's Irish Cream  Carolan's  Dooley's  Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur

Herb Chartreuse  Bénédictine  Goldschläger  Jägermeister	Anise Absinthe  Ouzo  Pastis  Sambuca	Nuts Amaretto  Frangelico  Nocino  Ratafia	Whisky Drambuie  Famous Grouse  Lochan Ora  Orangerie

Aperitifs

The word aperitif  comes from the Latin aperire, which means "to open", thus these are drinks taken before dinner in order to stimulate the appetite.  They may be as simple as a glass of sherry,  some white wine  or a Kir (white wine sweetened with blackcurrant syrup ), but don't stop there!  Let us help you explore this new world, or if you're already a convert, let us help you find new your new favourite.

Common Aperitifs

Campari  is a bitter Italian drink that is quite lovely in soda or orange juice.	White Dubonnet  is dry and infused with herbs, and Red  is sweet and spicy.	It's most often served with a twist, but 007  liked to add Lillet  to his martini.	Vermouth  can be dry  or sweet.   Some greats are Martini & Rossi  and Cinzano.	Anise-based drinks like Pernod,  Ricard  or ouzo  are always classic.

Cocktails

Arguably the best way to drink your liqueur is when it is mixed with something sweet. Be careful, though - depending on how strong your drink is, it might take only one or two before you start to feel the effects! Check out recipes for a few signature cocktails below.

Absinthe Cocktail  2 parts Vodka  2 parts Tomato Juice 1/2 part lemon juice 2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce Dash of Tabasco sauce  Preparation: Shake well with ice and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a small stick of celery.	Cosmopolitan  1 1/2 parts Vodka 1 part Cointreau 1 part Cranberry Juice Dash of Lime Juice 1 Lime Rind Preparation: Shake all the ingredients with cracked ice. Pour into a cocktail glass.	English Rose  1 part Gin 1/2 part Apricot Brandy  1/2 part Dry Vermouth  1/2 part Grenadine 2 dashes Lemon Juice Preparation: Stir well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.	Margarita  1 1/2 parts Tequila  1 part Lime or Lemon Juice 1/2 part Cointreau Preparation: Rim a cocktail glass with salt. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into glass.	Sex on the Beach  1 part Peach Schnapps  1 part Vodka Dash of Lemon Juice 1 Orange wedge Preparation: Shake the vodka, peach schnapps and lemon juice with cracked ice. Top with cranberry and orange juice  and pour into glass.

 

Let's Drink!

Some drinking and serving etiquette to remember.

• If serving drinks at home, stock up on your glassware.  Beer mugs, wine glasses and martini glasses  can all help to make a drink look not only pretty but professional.
• Opening up your own bar and not sure where to start? Check out our bar accessories guide.
• You don't have to drink cocktails all by their lonesome! Some can be paired with certain foods. For example, margaritas can make Mexican dishes that much tastier.
• Some drinks like the ones above come served with a lemon or orange wedge. While this can just be a garnish to make the drink look pretty, it can give it a better taste as well. Experiment and use your garnishes to see what kind of flavourings go best with your cocktail.
• Simple advice: If you don't like rum, don't get a drink with rum in it. Even a well made drink will taste a little bit like the chosen liqueur, so go with what you know. It will make the night a much more pleasant drinking experience for you!

Related Guides

Spirits Guide	Beer Guide	White Wine Guide	Red Wine Guide	Food and Beverage Guide

External Links

• Tastings.com: A guide to liqueurs and cordials.
• Wikipedia.org: A list of various liqueurs.
• FoodAndWine.com: The art of the aperitif.