It’s official. Liqueurs are back with a bang! Rediscovered through our post lockdown obsession with mixology and ingredients, drinkies from years ago are back and we are also welcoming some new brands taking a modern take on retro styles of liqueurs. Here are some delicious, old fashioned drinks to seek out, including the Queens favourite tipple!
Amaretto Adriatico (28% abv)
As Seen on TalkTV
A new generation of amaretto liqueur, made with 100% natural, roasted almonds from Puglia distilled and infused with coffee, cocoa, cinnamon and a pinch of Adriatic sea salt. It’s morish, sweet and delicious but not sickly.
Serve: Simply over ice or in many cocktails, such as an almond margarita.
Find it for £28.74 from Master of Malt or Amazon
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (40% abv)
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This premium, iconic orange liqueur is one of a kind. First created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle, it’s a Cognac based liqueur made with the distilled essence of Caribbean oranges and sugar. Weighing in it at 40% abv, it’s punchy and full, but fine, fresh and complex with notes of vanilla, baking spice and marmalade.
Serve: Chilled over ice or try it in a Sidecar cocktail.
Find it for £17 from Ocado (50cl) or £19 from Sainsbury’s
Créme de Cassis Liqueur ‘Cocktail Collection’ (15% abv)
As Seen on TalkTV
Crème de Cassis is a traditional blackcurrant liqueur that famously comes from Dijon in France. This version was created for Sainsbury's by a multi-award-winning producer using a recipe based on whole blackcurrants, blackcurrant buds and raspberry. The nose is literally jam-packed with fresh, ripe blackcurrant. Try their other flavours too, especially the peach for your bellinis!
Serve: Splash a small amount into a wine glass then top up with white for a kir or Champagne for a Kir Royale.
Find it for £8 from Sainsbury’s (35cl)
Dubonnet (14.8%)
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The Queen’s favourite tipple is not technically a liqueur, it’s more like a vermouth but it certainly is retro. She loved it so much, she even gave it a royal warrant! Originally created in 1846 by French chemist Joseph Dubonnet, to help combat malaria among the French Legionnaires, it’s a French, fortified wine, naturally flavoured by herbs, quinine and spices then aged in oak barrels.
The Queen’s serve: Take two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, stir with icem then strain into a wine glass and serve with a lemon wheel.
Find it for £10 from Waitrose, Ocado & Amazon