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Liqueur

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Pronounced lih-KUR

A liqueur is a spirit with added sugar and flavor, usually between 15 and 30% ABV, sweeter and lower in strength than most spirits.

Typical strength
15 to 30% ABV, some up to 55%
US sugar minimum (TTB)
2.5% by weight
EU minimums
15% ABV and 100 g sugar per liter
Green Chartreuse
55% ABV

What liqueur means

Liquor is an unsweetened distilled spirit, such as vodka, gin or whiskey. So vodka is a liquor, not a liqueur. Some liqueurs run as strong as 55% ABV, such as Green Chartreuse, while most sit between 15 and 30%.

Liqueurs are the modifiers in a cocktail, the sweet part next to a base spirit. Triple sec goes into a Margarita beside tequila. Maraschino and green Chartreuse sit in a Last Word. Because liqueurs add sugar, cut back the syrup when you add one. You can drink one straight too. Many are sipped neat or over ice after dinner. Common examples include amaretto, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, crème de cassis and Campari.

A common belief is that liqueur and liquor are the same thing. They are not. Liquor is unsweetened, while a liqueur must be sweetened to qualify. The rule is set by law. The US asks for at least 2.5% sugar by weight. The EU asks for at least 100 g of sugar per liter and a minimum of 15% ABV.

How to use liqueur in cocktails

Use the liqueur as a modifier beside a base spirit, and balance the sugar in the rest of the recipe.

  1. 1.Start with a base spirit, such as gin, rum or tequila, and add the liqueur as the modifier.
  2. 2.Measure the liqueur with a jigger, since it is sweet and strong, and a heavy pour can take over.
  3. 3.Reduce the syrup in the recipe, because the liqueur already adds sugar.
  4. 4.Store cream liqueurs in the fridge once opened, and keep most others at room temperature.
  5. 5.Sip a liqueur by itself after a meal if you want the flavor on its own.

Liqueur compared

  • SpiritA spirit, or liquor, is distilled and unsweetened, usually 40% ABV. A liqueur is sweetened and flavored, usually 15 to 30%.
  • CordialIn the US, cordial is another legal name for liqueur. In the UK, a cordial is a non-alcoholic syrup.
  • Flavored vodkaFlavored vodka has flavor but little or no sugar, and it stays near 35 to 40%. A liqueur must be sweetened.
  • AmaroAmaro is a bitter herbal liqueur. Most liqueurs lean sweet rather than bitter.

Examples

Related terms

Ingredients

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