Liqueur

• A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage which is sweetened and flavoured spirit.

• A liqueur is alcoholic beverage, which has a base of spirit (grain spirit, neutral spirit)
which is flavoured with fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, plants and are
sweetened and can be coloured or colourless. They are also termed as Digestif /
Digestive. Liqueurs are not usually aged for long periods, but may have resting
periods during their production to allow flavours to blend. Liqueurs can be further
categorised as – fruit liqueur, cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, chocolate liqueur,
schnapps, herbal liqueur, depending upon the flavouring agents used.
ORIGIN
• Latin word- LIQUIFACERE- means to dissolve or melt
• Liqueurs were used as medicine for stomach ailments
• Since these medicines were harsh tasting  so they were sweetened with honey
 
USES OF LIQUEURS
• After dinner drink- good for digestion
• Cocktail ingredient
• For specialty coffees
• For making desserts
• For flavouring ice creams and chocolates
• Sorbet can be made with liqueurs
• Served in liqueur glasses (30ml)
Categories of liqueurs
• Herbs liqueurs: They are flavoured with herbs, e.g. Crème de Menthe green (mint and brandy)
Charteause – (green and yellow herbs, plants brandy) both are made in France. Drambuie Golden
(honey, herbs, heather, whisky) made in Scotland.
• Citrus Liqueurs: They are flavoured mostly from peels in citrus fruit like orange or lemon, e.g.
Cointreau – (orange/brandy) France Curacao – yellow, white or green (Curacao orange peels cane
sugar and brandy, gin or other spirits -made originally in Holland now also made in other countries.
• Fruit liqueurs: They are flavoured almost any kind of fruit other than citrus. The popular fruit
liqueurs are Crème de banane- white (banana brandy), Abricotine – red (Apricot brandy) Calavados
– amber (Apple brandy) all these drinks are made in France.