When it comes to choosing the best liqueurs, there are many factors to consider. The type of liqueur, the occasion, and your personal preferences all come into play. There are many different types on offer, from fruity to creamy to spicy. And each type of liqueur can be enjoyed in different ways. For example, you might want a fruity liqueur to add to a cocktail, or a creamy liqueur to enjoy on its own. If you’re looking for a festive liqueur to serve at a party, a fruit-based liqueur might be a good choice. Or, if you’re looking for a relaxing liqueur to enjoy after dinner, a herbal liqueur might be a better option. If you prefer sweeter liqueurs, you might want to try a fruit-based liqueur. Or, if you prefer a more intense flavour, you might want to try a spicy or coffee liqueur. No matter what your preferences are, there is one to suit every palate and here are our favourites right now.
Mozart Chocolate Cream
Mozart Chocolate Liqueur is an Austrian luxury milk chocolate cream liqueur made with high–quality Belgian chocolate, fresh cream, vanilla, African and Caribbean cocoa, Belgian dark chocolate, Madagascan Bourbon–vanilla, and sugar cane distillate. It is best served lightly chilled as a chocolate drink or used to enhance desserts. www.ocado.com
Jumping Goat Coffee Vodka Liqueur
Jumping Goat is a coffee–infused liqueur created in 2013 by New Zealand‘s Callum O‘Brien. Inspired by the story of Kaldi, the goat herder of Ancient Ethiopia, the liqueur is made with 100% organic, batch–roasted coffee beans from Papua New Guinea, a blend of spices and pure, redistilled New Zealand whey vodka. www.masterofmalt.com
Avallen Calvados
Avallen is made from nothing but apples, water and time, and is completely natural with no additives or added sugar. Avallen has just launched a new paper bottle in a major move to greater sustainability which is far more robust that glass and six times lighter so makes posting for a Christmas gift ideal. It is available in Harvey Nichols until end of Nov then nationwide. Avallen‘s liquid is fresh, fruity, and proudly apple-forward in its flavour profile which is aged in French oak barrels for 2 years. Produced entirely in north west Normandy Avallen represents a younger, fresher and more climate-conscious brand with the health of the planet at its core. Even the labels are made from recycled paper fibres and apple pulp. www.masterofmalt.com
The King’s Ginger
Berry Bros. & Rudd first created The King’s Ginger for King Edward VII in 1903, as a tonic against the cold. Over the past 100 years, the recipe has changed several times, while remaining true to its roots—an emphatically ginger-flavoured liqueur that comes to life in many delicious cocktails or as a revivifying drink straight from the hip flask. In 2020, the recipe evolved once more, winning a Gold Medal 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. www.waitrose.com
VIVIR Café Coffee Liqueur
VIVIR Café VS is a Tequila-based liqueur made with VIVIR Tequila Blanco and flavoured with Mexican coffee beans. It is sweetened with Piloncillo, a natural Mexican cane sugar. It has a rich coffee flavour with a subtle Agave finish. Delicious savoured by itself and superb in classic coffee cocktails, including the Espresso Martini. www.masterofmalt.com
G’Vine June Gin Liqueur
The G’Vine June Liqueur de Gin is an exquisite gin liqueur that tastes like summer. It is made from grape flowers, which are harvested by hand and distilled into alcohol. This alcohol is then combined with other plants and spices to produce a unique spirit, which is then distilled a second time. The gin is best enjoyed in a long glass with a splash of soda or tonic water. www.masterofmalt.com
Conker Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
The Conker Spirits folks in Dorset hand-pick speciality Ethiopian and Brazillian coffee beans to cold-press and distil into a bold coffee liqueur. They use spring water from the New Forest and British wheat spirit to create a lively citrus, espresso, caramel, vanilla and demerara sugar flavour. Enjoy on its own over ice or mix into cocktails for a delicious replacement to Kahlua and other coffee liqueurs.
www.conkerspirit.co.uk
Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur Spirit
Like Turkish Delight? You’ll love a bottle of this delicate Polish liqueur, made using thousands of hand-picked rose petals, grenadine and gentle spice. Lanique’s recipe is over 200 years old dating back to a time when rose-flavoured spirits were all the rage with royalty across Europe. www.masterofmalt.com
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto Liqueur is lightly citrusy on the nose with hints of rose and lavender. On the palate, fresh tones of ripe citrus fruits are balanced with a light bitter and floral spice before giving way to a complex and long-lasting finish. To enhance the delicate flavours of the botanicals, Italicus is best enjoyed 50/50 with prosecco over ice and garnished with three green olives to balance the floral aromas with a touch of saltiness. www.waitrosecellar.com
Stambecco Tiramisu Liqueur
Inspired by the best-loved dessert, this liqueur from Biggar & Leith is a must-try for any dessert and coffee lover. Made with 100% natural ingredients, including locally sourced espresso coffee, it’s presented at 24% abv. Enjoy it neat or in your favourite coffee-based cocktail.
www.whiskyshop.com