Liqueurs are flavoured and sweetened spirits having high alcoholic content, composed of spirits and additional flavourings such as fruits, herbs and spices. Liqueurs are used in the preparation of cocktails speciality coffees, and in culinary preparation. The alcohol content of liqueur can range from 15% (30 proof) to 55% (110 proof).
In most flambeed dessert preparation liqueurs are used for flavouring, are served in small quantities as digestives at the end of the meal,
Today there are many distillers who make liqueurs of different flavours and colours, some liqueurs are generic and others are proprietary.
In this guide, we will be discussing the difference between a liqueur and a liquor, and coffee liqueur, also go through the service of liqueur, and some liqueur brands
Difference between a liqueur and a liquor
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S Liquor Liqueur 1. Liquors are unsweetened, distilled, an alcoholic beverage that has an alcohol content of at least 20% ABV. Liqueurs are sweetened spirits with various flavours, oils, and extracts added. 2. Liquors are produced by the method fermentation of grain, fruit, vegetables, Liqueurs are diluted forms of liquor flavoured with fruit, cream, herbs, spices, flowers, coffee beans. 3. Although, liqueurs are now available in different flavours such as orange or apple vodka, lemon rum, liquors do not have added sugar and, have an alcoholic taste. On the other hand, liquors have added sugar, and it often has a sweet taste. 4. Liquors are often used as a base as cocktails, and can be taken with ice, While liqueurs are mainly used as flavouring agents in mixed drinks, also can be taken as neat over ice. 5. Examples of liquors: Rum, gin, vodka, whisky, tequila, brandy Examples of liquors: Orange liqueur, coffee liqueur, anise liquor, apricot liquor.
Coffee liqueur (speciality coffee)
Black coffee with liqueur or spirit and cream floated on the top is termed a coffee liqueur (speciality coffee). These coffees take their name depending on the style of liqueurs or spirits used in their making. An establishment may standardize the recipe of all coffee liqueur and the size of the glass for the service.
Making coffee liqueur
The steps involved in making coffee liqueur
- Take 6 oz glass
- Pour a measure of liqueur or spirit into the glass
- Add 2 bar spoon of sugar, if required
- Pour hot black coffee (100 ml) into the glass up to 1.5 cm below the rim of the glass
- Slightly aerate the cream (20ml) by gently shaking for about a few seconds
- Pour the cream gently over the back of the spoon held over coffee against the side of the glass so as to make the cream gently slide and settle over the coffee. Continue pouring till it reaches about 1 cm thick.
- Remove the spoon, place the glass on an underplate with a doily and serve
Examples of some of the coffee liqueur (speciality coffee)
Monk’s coffee: Benedictine
Calypso coffee: Tia-maria
Seville coffee: Cointreau
Prince Charles coffee: Drambuie
Irish coffee: Irish whisky
Russian coffee: Vodka
German coffee: Kirsch
Italian coffee: Strega
Jamaican coffee: Rum
Highland coffee: Scotch whisky
Scandinavian coffee: Aquavit
Normandy coffee: Calvados
Service of liqueur
Liqueurs are taken as digestives at the end of the meal with coffee and are offered together with port or brandy. The liqueur is mostly served neat in a liqueur glass. Some people prefer taking liqueur with black coffee as a liqueur coffee.
Liqueurs are served in different ways according to customers’ preference
- Neat
- Frappe (with ice)
- With ice
- With coffee and cream
Neat: Pour out a 6 out measure of a chosen liqueur in a liqueur glass and serve to the guest.
Frappe: A slightly larger glass is used for holding the ice. Fill 3/4th of the glass with crushed ice and pour over 6 out measure of liqueur, place short straws, and serve.
With ice: The cream is gently poured over the back of the spoon held against the inner side of the glass to settle over the poured out liqueur. Liqueur and cream should not be mixed.
With coffee and cream (coffee liqueur): We have already discussed in making coffee liqueur
Liqueur brands list
Cointreau: Orange flavoured liqueur
Advocaat: Egg yolk flavoured liqueur
Amaretto: Almond and apricot flavoured liqueur
Anisette: Anise flavoured liqueur
Baileys Irish cream: Chocolate flavoured liqueur
Benedictine: Herbs and spices flavoured liqueur
Chambord: Raspberry flavoured liqueur
Also, read: 55 best liqueur brands list in 2021 with country, base, and flavour
