Liqueurs: they’re something you only sling back at Christmas, right? Wrong.
Increasingly, liqueurs have expanded beyond the usual Baileys, Grand Marnier, Cointreau and other seasonal bottles that have been collecting dust at the back of your booze cabinet, meaning there’s now a sip for every taste and occasion.
Generally speaking, liqueurs are sweet, made from distilled spirits with additional flavourings like herbs, fruits, spices and creams.
Interestingly, they date all the way back to the 13th century, when they started life as herbal medicines prepared by monks, while today they are produced around the world and are either savoured on their own or mixed into cocktails (the monks, it seems, have stepped back from production).
Most recently, liqueurs been enjoying something of a resurgence, thanks in large part to ever-more adventurous drinkers looking to shake things up when it comes to a nightcap or three (there are only so many G&Ts one can have, after all). More often than not, they’re lower in alcohol content, too, making them spot-on for a swift one come last orders.
Tim Martin-Harvey, head of e-commerce at online drinks retailer The Bottle Club, says: “Liqueurs are undergoing a surge in popularity in recent times, with the global liqueur market size estimated to reach $130.23 billion in 2023, according to Future Market Insights.
As an online retailer, we’ve seen an increased demand for liqueurs outside of the traditional peak Christmas period, as cocktail culture thrives and products such as Baileys, Grand Marnier and Kahlúa continue to retain their popularity within mixed drinks.”
He adds: “Brands are also becoming increasingly experimental when it comes to releasing limited editions and seasonal crowd-pleasers. For example, Baileys’ more unique flavours, including Tiramisu, Eton Mess and Birthday Cake, drive huge interest on our site, and the Egg Royale Chocolate Cream Liqueur, which recently featured on ITV’s This Morning, was incredibly popular.”
From herby varieties to fruity numbers and creamy bottles, the choice is overwhelming.
Never fear, we’ve curated the best of the bunch, making this your cheat-sheet to a world of flavour.
Shop the best liqueurs to know below
Best gins to try in 2023 in a G&T, a cocktail or to sip straight
Best gins to make a killer martini
Best celebrity alcohol brands to try in 2023: tipples from Kylie, Jay Z, Kendall Jenner and more
Best flavoured gins to try this summer, from strawberry, rhubarb and truffle and more
Best armagnacs to buy in 2023 to sample the finest French brandy
Mr Black Double Cacao Whisky & Coffee Liqueur
A limited release that you’ll want to stock up on, Mr Black’s Double Cacao Whisky & Coffee Liqueur is the brainchild of two of Australia’s most innovative spirits brands: Mr Black and Starward.
This new liqueur sees Tanzanian cacao nibs infused into Mr Black’s Coffee Liqueur which is then blended with Starward’s Peated Finish Whisky to make the perfect smoky rich coffee chocolate digestif.
Whether you want to make a mocha martini, a chocolate old fashioned or spike your hot chocolate, this liqueur will do the trick during any season.
Buy now, Mr Black
Pimm’s No.1 Gin Cup Liqueur
Anyone for Pimm’s? Beloved by Britain, particularly over the summer when it can be seen everywhere from Centre Court to garden parties, it’s a gin-based liqueur that’s best served over ice with lemonade, cucumber, strawberry and mint.
The exact recipe has remained closely guarded for years, but what we can tell you is that the liqueur is infused with quinine, fruit extracts and a secret mixture of herbs, all of which give it its signature taste. A favourite for good reason.
Buy now £14.49, Pimm’s
Lanique Spirit of Rose
Those who love the taste of Turkish Delight will fall head over heels for Lanique: a pink liqueur with notes of rose, cherry and raspberry. It’s made from pure essence of rose – which, gram for gram, is more valuable than gold – and is simply delicious mixed with Champagne or as a prime ingredient in a cocktail. A bottle with bragging rights.
Buy now £33.24, Master of Malt
Baileys Colada
After selling out everywhere when it first launched three years ago, we’re pleased to see that Baileys Colada is back just in time for the summer, blending the Original Irish Cream with creamy coconut and sweet pineapple. Like its counterpart, it can be enjoyed on its own over ice, or even drizzled over vanilla ice-cream for a sweet treat. You’ll need to be quick, though – it’s available for a limited time only.
Buy now £17.00, Asda
Amarula Cream Liqueur
Made from the exotic fruit of the Marula tree – only grown in Africa and harvested from January – Amarula Cream Liqueur is velvety smooth on the palate with fresh and creamy flavours. Fill a tumbler with ice and pour over for a digestif with a difference. A new Chocolate flavour has also been introduced, which is delightful mixed into a milkshake, while a plant-based option has been created in the Vegan alternative.
Buy now £13.50, Amarula
Asda Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur
Wish it could be Christmas every day? It can be with the Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur from the Extra Special range at Asda. With delicate flavours of smooth caramel and Madagascan vanilla, it’s the perfect after-dinner treat, although we question whether it’s a drink or a dessert. Either way: it’s lipsmackingly good.
Buy now £8.00, Asda
Kranebet Botanic Juniper Liqueur
Launched recently is this gin liqueur from the Veneto region of Italy. Blending hand-picked juniper berries, gentian root, roman absinthe, coriander seeds and quassia bark, it’s a sweeter take on a dry gin, while it can be enjoyed neat, chilled on the rocks, or mixed with tonic. Alternatively, use in a negroni instead of gin for a twist on the traditional cocktail.
Buy now £20.40, Kranebet
Co-op Irresistible Pink Grapefruit & Elderflower Gin Liqueur
Sharp and tangy, this five-times distilled gin liqueur from trusty Co-op makes for a welcome addition to your booze cupboard, combining pink grapefruit with floral elderflower to create a sweet and spicy drink. It really is irresistible.
Buy now £12.00, Co-op
Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger Gin Liqueur
Sweet and spicy, this bright-yellow liqueur infuses pineapple and ginger with gin, making for a bold and flavoursome drink. It’s fiery and intense, which is a good thing, featuring welcome sharpness and warmth.
We rather like ours in a tumbler filled with ice, topped with ginger ale and finished with a fresh wedge of lime, but you can enjoy yours in a flute with prosecco, if you like.
Buy now £24.45, The Whisky Exchange
Lillet Rouge Red Wine-Based Aperitif
A subtle blend of selected wine and fruit, Lillet is a famous liqueur from France that has been knocking around since 1962, its sweet red nectar aged in oak casks to mellow its aromas and mature its flavours. Low in alcohol, it’s quite the treat over ice with tonic, characterised by flavours of fresh orange, berries, vanilla and spices.
Buy now £18.00, Ocado
5 Walla Chai Tea Cream Liqueur
This creative liqueur does what it says on the tin with five spices (cinnamon, clove, cardamom, ginger and vanilla) blended together to create a deliciously boozy take on chai tea. We like the retro styling of the bottle, too.
Buy now £25.00, Wanderlust Drink
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge Cognac & Orange Liqueur
A legend amongst liqueurs, Grand Marnier blends French cognac with bitter oranges to create its distinctive colour and flavour, balanced perfectly with notes of hazelnut and coffee. Not just for Christmas.
Buy now £19.50, Sainsbury's
Takamaka Koko Coconut Rum Liqueur
Liqueurs don’t get more exotic than Takamaka: a coconut variety from the Seychelles. White rum is infused with coconut extract to create a sweet drink with notes of pineapple, white pepper and vanilla that immediately transports you to a white-sand beach.
Buy now £21.25, The Whiskey Exchange
Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto
Aperol fatigue? We hear you. This new(ish) Italian liqueur is based around the brilliance of bergamot as the key ingredient, rather than orange, its winning formula combining its namesake with other botanicals such as chamomile and lavender, amongst others. Enjoy it as comes, over ice, or mixed into a spritz with one-part Italicus, two-parts Champers and three olives (specific, we know, but trust us).
Buy now £31.49, Amazon
Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream
Sometimes, straight-up tequila is too strong, even for seasoned drinkers. Which is where Tequila Rose comes in handy: a silky-smooth strawberry cream liqueur with a splash of tequila. They suggest you serve it as a chilled shot, sure to get the party started, but we like ours as the secret ingredient in a grown-up milkshake.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Limoncello by Lazzaroni
Everyone loves a limoncello, the Italian liqueur made from lemon zest, as it usually recalls holiday restaurants when shots of the stuff are circulated after piled-high plates of pasta. Now you can evoke summer memories from the comfort of home with this take on the palate-cleanser in a vibrant yellow bottle. Pour over a fruit salad or vanilla gelato for an unusual spin on the serve.
Buy now £25.44, Master of Malt
Dead Man’s Fingers Raspberry Rum Cream Liqueur
Ahoy there, party people: Dead Man’s Fingers Raspberry Cream Rum Liqueur was created in Cornwall with a bottle that’s as bold as the drink. Smooth and luxurious, it combines aromas of fresh raspberries with the bite of Dead Man’s Fingers Rum, and can be enjoyed as a velvety shot or as part of a twist on a white Russian.
Buy now £15.00, Sainsbury's
Kyrö Dairy Cream Liqueur
Described as a ‘grown-up milk punch’ – we’re already sold – Kyrö is a Finnish cream liqueur with a dash of 100% rye malt whisky, making for a seriously creamy drink with flavours of liquorice, chocolate and toffee. No wonder it’s won a slew of awards.
Buy now £14.95, Master of Malt
Scarlett’s Cherry Liqueur
Produced in limited runs of just 500 bottles, Scarlett’s Cherry Liqueur combines sour cherry flavours with notes of chocolate, almond and coffee to tantalise the tastebuds, particularly for those who have a sweet tooth. We’re fans of its ruby-red colour – a sure-fire conversation-starter – while the retro label means it sits pretty on a bar cart. It’s made by Ellers Farm Distillery, a sustainable producer in north Yorkshire, which also produces the sublime Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka.
Buy now £16.00, Scarlett’s
Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur
Single malt Irish whiskey + silky Belgian white chocolate + fresh Irish cream = a smooth and creamy award-winner for all seasons and occasions. A fresh take on the classic Irish cream liqueur, it’s light and velvety, while best enjoyed straight-up or on the rocks.
Buy now £26.00, John Lewis
Cointreau
First created in 1849 and key to over 500 cocktails – from cosmos to margaritas – Cointreau is a classic for good reason. Sweet and bitter orange peel essences are distilled to create its distinctive flavour, a task entrusted to a master distiller, with each batch individually tasted to this day to retain its quality. We couldn’t love it more.
Buy now £17.00, Tesco
Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur
Everyone has a bottle of the original coffee liqueur knocking about at the back of the booze cupboard, but do you actually know what to make with it? The Mexican mixture of expresso coffee, toffee, butter rum and caramel is more versatile than you think, not just for classics like white Russians and espresso martinis, but in newer, more inventive serves like espresso tonics and cold brew negronis (yes, really).
Buy now £16.50, Sainsbury’s
Crabbie’s 1858 Wild Berry Liqueur
Those with a sweeter palate could do worse than to tuck into a glass of this berry liqueur. Scottish raspberry, blackcurrant and ginger combine to create a spicy, warming and fruity drink that’s oh-so refreshing.
Buy now £17.99, Master of Malt
Galliano L'Autentico Liqueur, 50 cl
Not only is this traditional Italian liqueur the secret ingredient in Harvey wallbanger cocktails, but its vanilla flavour is just divine as a digestif by itself, featuring a palate of citrus and vanilla with notes of sweet spices and lemon curd. Plus, its tapered bottle is unmistakable placed in the centre of the table.
Buy now £23.86, Amazon
Brookie’s Mac
Now here’s something a bit different: a macadamia nut liqueur. Yes, we were intrigued, too, and we’re so glad we were. The brainchild of Cape Byron Distillery, it’s a versatile little number made from locally-sourced macadamia nuts and toasted native Australian wattleseed. The result? Something entirely unusual to get friends talking at your next gathering.
Buy now £35.24, Master of Malt
Bumbu Cream
They had us at ‘Barbados-based rum’ with Bumbu Cream pairing aromas of chai, coconut and cinnamon with sweet and spicy flavours. Enjoy its creaminess on the rocks and transport yourself to Sandy Lane without stepping foot outside of the front door.
Buy now £31.00, Ocado
Highland Nectar Scotch Whisky Liqueur
Inspired by the traditional whiskies of the Scotland Highlands, this whisky liqueur blends unpeated Scotch with cinnamon, ginger and lemon oil to enhance the flavours of the base spirit. The result? A rich and velvety slurp for after-dinner imbibing.
Buy now £24.95, The Whisky Exchange
Villa de Varda Amaretto Liqueur
Creamy and sweet, with distinctive flavours of almonds and biscotti, the Villa de Varda Amaretto Liqueur is a secret weapon in your after-drinks arsenal, made in seriously tiny quantities to make it all the more alluring.
Buy now £20.97, Independent Wine
Frangelico Liqueur
One of the original liqueurs, Frangelico is distilled from hazelnuts grown in Italy that are blended with coffee, cocoa and vanilla, and is said to go back more than 300 years when it was created by a hermit monk (named Fra’Angelico, incidentally). Golden in colour, its rich but delicate nutty flavour is unmistakable, best enjoyed neat on ice with lime. Time to dust off a classic, perhaps?
Buy now £18.00, Ocado
St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Made in France with handpicked elderflowers sourced from Europe and presented in an elegant and distinctive bottle, St-Germain remains a firm favourite in the ever-expanding world of liqueurs, each numbered with the year of production. The most popular way to enjoy it is in a light and floral St-Germain spritz with prosecco and soda water over ice finished with a lemon twist and edible flowers (if you have any to hand).
Buy now £20.00, Ocado
Limoncello Di Capri
A traditional limoncello made with protected lemon peels sourced from the spirit’s birthplace (the island of Capri and Sorrento, incidentally). A glamorous addition to any gathering – shots, shots, shots!
Buy now £13.00, Ocado
Zymurgorium Cherry Bakewell Gin Liqueur
New from Manchester brand Zymurgorium – we know, it’s a bit of a mouthful – is this Cherry Bakewell Gin Liqueur packed with real cherries foraged by founder Aaron Darke himself. Expect almond aromas and a fruity palate.
Buy now £16.89, The Bottle Club
Everleaf Forest
Catering to teetotallers, drivers or simply the ‘sober-curious’ – yes, it’s a thing – Everleaf Forest comprises a complex blend of sustainably-sourced botanicals to create a superb alcohol-free liqueur, including saffron, Madagascan vanilla and orange blossom. Enjoy with tonic over ice and garnish with an orange wheel.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
Granada Vallet Liqueur
This is a brilliant Mexican take on red Italian aperitifs made from all-natural ingredients like wormwood and gentian root balanced with orange and lime. Expect a tart, herbaceous and bitter flavour that makes it perfect in negronis or by itself.
Buy now £36.94, Master of Malt
