The world of bartending is vast and various. So ordering a drink off of a cocktail menu can often feel more like a chemistry oral exam people didn't study for. This is especially true when it comes to understanding the difference between liquor and liqueur, and from there, knowing the specific types of liqueurs.

A liqueur is a flavored alcoholic drink created by combining distilled spirits with various flavoring substances like fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, nuts, or cream. Historically inspired by herbal medicines, liqueurs are often served with or after dessert. There are many types of liqueurs based on flavors used in it, such as - Berry liqueurs, Chocolate liqueurs, Coffee liqueurs, Cream liqueurs, Flower liqueurs, Fruit liqueurs, Herbal liqueurs, Honey liqueurs, Nut liqueurs, Whisky liqueurs, and the list goes on!

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Today we are going to talk about some must-try liqueurs to stock your bar with.

Ginja9

Ginja9 (the Portuguese word for sour cherry) is a striking balance between sweet and tart, it is the flavor of ripe cherries in liquid form. The infusing process of making Ginja9 takes twelve months. It is 100% natural with no added color or preservatives, is also vegan and gluten-Free.

Ginjinha is a popular liqueur in Portugal that embraces history and divine taste. This tradition dates back to the Portuguese monks of the XVII century. You can simply enjoy it straight and chilled. Mixologists love this liqueur for their craft cocktails. For a sweeter indulgence and a unique touch, serve as a shot in a dark chocolate cup. The “9” in Ginja9 represents universal love and peace, hence the heart in our logo.

Ginja9: Gold Medal, ‘Liqueur Of The Year,’ ‘Liqueurs Producer Of The Year’ Winner

95 Points

Amaro San Marco

Amaro San Marco by Sarandrea Marco & C Srl is a liquor based on the infusion of officinal herbs. This liqueur was created around 1920, at the end of the First World War. At that time Capuchin Paolo Sarandrea, after leaving the position of Military Chaplain - resumed his studies as a herbalist with the aim of highlighting the virtues of the medicinal plants that abound in the Ernici Mountains, benefiting from them in the liquor field. Supported by his brother, Marco Sarandrea, he developed the ancient recipes of medicinal liqueurs, such as the "Biosfero" tonic and restorative liqueur, or the current "AMARO SAN MARCO". 

With 30% vol, Amaro San Marco is made with the right amounts of ingredients, carefully dosed - which makes the Amaro San Marco a high-quality liquor with properties that go beyond the simple digestive. Enjoyed after a meal, plain or with ice, or as an aperitif, Amaro San Marco, however, gives us a sensory break full of pleasant aromas and fragrances.

 Amaro San Marco: Gold Medal Winner

93 Points

St. Elder Pamplemousse Liqueur

St. Elder Pamplemousse Liqueur by St. Elder Artisanal Liqueur is crafted in small batches using natural pink grapefruit flavors. St. Elder Pamplemousse Liqueur brightens up a variety of cocktails with refreshing notes of ripe pink grapefruit. 

St. Elder Pamplemousse Liqueur is pale pink in color. This liqueur has aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit, fresh-cut grass, and carnation with a satiny, crisp, very sweet light-to-medium body and a sleek, relaxed finish with accents of sliced cucumber, grapefruit curd, and rhubarb finish. It is a silvery pink grapefruit liqueur with great flavor - pairs with gin or sparkling wine for cheerful spring cocktails.

St. Elder Pamplemousse Liqueur: Gold Medal Winner

93 Points

Butterfly Botanical Liqueur

Butterfly Botanical Liqueur by Butterfly Spirits has notes of rose, lavender, and lemongrass. It is the debut product from Butterfly Spirits and is a curious blend of 13 all-natural herbal ingredients. Inspired by the transformative power of Mother Nature, Butterfly Botanical Liqueur will change your view of cocktails when enjoyed with tonic or citrus. Whether in your favorite libation or simply sipped over ice, you’ll enjoy a unique, delicate flavor reminiscent of the golden age of spirits.    

Butterfly Botanical Liqueur: Gold Medal Winner

92 Points

Mount Rigi - Flavor of the Alps

Mount Rigi - Flavor of the Alps by Distillerie Mount Rigi AG has the finest swiss alps aromas. It is boldly & freshly embellished with the pure cherry. Mount Rigi goes wonderfully sprinkled on prosecco - as rigi tonic, as a cocktail mixer, or simply pure on ice. Mount Rigi - The flavor of the Alps is different in taste and aroma, the flavor of the alps is an enrichment to the puristic cherry.

Mount Rigi - Flavor of the Alps: Gold Medal Winner

91 Points

Patique Cherry Liqueur

Patique Cherry Liqueur by Patique, LLC. is made from the finest Bing cherries in California. The purest form of the product, that is just cherries are used in creating this liqueur - with NO added sugar.

Patique Cherry Liqueur: Gold Medal Winner

90 Points

St. Elder Blood Orange Liqueur

St. Elder Blood Orange Liqueur by St. Elder Artisanal Liqueur is crafted in small batches using natural blood orange flavors. St. Elder Blood Orange Liqueur livens up a variety of cocktails with notes of bitter citrus. 

St. Elder Blood Orange Liqueur: Gold Medal Winner

90 Points

St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur

St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur by St. Elder Artisanal Liqueur is crafted in small batches from an extract of fresh elderflower blossoms, St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur brightens up every cocktail with notes of sweet citrus and floral honey. 

St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur: Gold Medal Winner

90 Points

Ortolan Rosolio

Ortolan Rosolio by Appanage Brands is a carefully crafted expression of heirloom roses and other botanicals in the tradition of French Apéritifs, Italian Amaros, and the historic Rosolios of Torino - reimagined in California.

Ortolan Rosolio is crafted using a large variety of heirloom roses to contribute an array of delicate flavors and aromas, reminiscent of a garden in bloom. The roses are harvested by hand and treated carefully throughout the production process. The final product is lightly finished with other botanicals to enhance complexity and depth with subtle earthy and citrus tones.

Ortolan Rosolio: Gold Medal Winner

90 Points

Grand Brulot VSOP Cognac & Cafe

Grand Brulot VSOP Cognac & Cafe by Grand Brulot is a uniquely dry and smooth blend of VSOP cognac and coffee that delivers flavor notes of nutmeg & vanilla with subtle honey aroma, combined with rich, roasted, dark & dense nose and flavor from 100% Robusta Espresso.

Grand Brulot revives a 200 plus-year-old French tradition where rich Coffee was blended with Cognac to create an exquisite tasting drink: The Brulôt. The legend of Café Brûlot extends back to New Orleans in the early 1800s and the infamous Jean Lafitte. Whether or not the French pirate actually created the first pairing of café and cognac is a question that may never be answered. But the legend absolutely lives in today’s after-dinner Café Brûlot tradition in the finest French Quarter restaurants.

Hand-crafted by the Tardy family on their estate in the Cognac region of France. Cellar master Christoph Tardy – a fifth-generation Cognac producer – meticulously selects the finest ‘Eaux de vie’ to craft a unique VSOP Cognac which is blended with premium Ecuadorean 100% Robusta coffee beans selected for their concentrated richness. The blend is then aged in French oak barrels to allow the melding of flavor notes over time. Every drink of this fine VSOP cognac includes a shot of espresso.
 
Grand Brulot VSOP Cognac & Cafe: Silver Medal Winner

88 Points