Latest news with #liqueurs
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Freshen Up Your Summer Cocktails With 5 Global Liqueurs
Italicus Spritz made with Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto. Liqueurs tend to carry a bad rap. This is likely because some of the most mainstream liqueur labels present a saccharine profile that can easily overwhelm a cocktail just by adding one extra drop, like Amaretto or Baileys Irish Cream. Contemporary liqueurs, however, tend to offer a lighter flavor thanks to their more natural infusions of herbs and fresh fruit. Though they taste lighter, they are still classified as liqueurs by fulfilling the category's defining quality of at least 100 grams per liter of sugar and minimum alcoholic strength of 15% alcohol by volume (ABV). The current demand for low ABV drinks positions liqueurs a trendy alternative to other distilled spirits like vodka (average 40% ABV) or tequila (average 50% ABV); instead of mixing up a vodka soda, consumers can swap in a liqueur for a lower ABV and more refreshing libation. Liqueurs also add complexity to drinks, for example Grand Marnier, a blend of cognac and bitter orange-flavored liqueur that dates back to 1880, evolved to become a staple ingredient for margaritas. The orange citrus complements the lime juice of margarita's base while the cognac adds depth. Whether you prefer a classic liqueur or one of the newer styles, liqueurs are a bar cart essential; below, discover five of the best liqueurs to get started. Chinola Pineapple Liqueur Known for its signature passion fruit liqueur (when it launched in 2014, it was the world's first shelf-stable fresh fruit liqueur), Chinola recently debuted its newest flavor—Chinola Pineapple. This liqueur is handcrafted with fresh MD2 pineapples, one of the Dominican Republic's most renowned varieties for its ripeness and sweetness. The new liqueur is bottled at 21% ABV and uses neutral cane spirit to balance the profile of bold yet fresh flavor. Mix up Chinola Pineapple and soda water to see how liqueurs can make home bartending effortless (and for a quick, easy, low ABV cocktail). Bottled at 16.5% ABV, Chambord Liqueur is a black raspberry liqueur that's earned its spot on the bar for the nuances it adds to a myriad of cocktails, including two drinks that have become the brand's signature drinks: the Chambord Royale (4 parts Champagne, 1/2 part Chambord) and French Martini (2 part pineapple juice, 1.5 part vodka, 1/2 part Chambord). Crafted in Cheverny, France, Chambord extracts its base flavor from whole raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants before blending with cognac, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey and aromatic spice for an extremely layered but poised profile. Plus, the regal, orb-shaped bottle is a whimsical addition to any bar cart. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur Launched in 2007, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur (20% ABV) surged to its highest popularity in the last two years as the spritz craze ran rampant. The French liqueur, produced from fresh elderflowers — at least 1,000 blossoms per bottle that are handpicked once a year in the late spring — is the star ingredient in a Hugo Spritz (1.5 oz St-Germain, 2 oz Prosecco, 2 oz soda water, 8 to 10 mint leaves). This bright, bubbly beverage rocketed to fame as an alternative to the Aperol Spritz and is a beloved rendition in northern Italy. In 2016, Italian bartender Giuseppe Gallo revived the forgotten category of Rosolio, which during its 18th century heyday under the King of Savoia was renowned as 'aperitivo di corte', or the noble aperitif. He used a family recipe to create Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, a unique Italian bergamot liqueur bottled at 20% ABV. Gallo sources this citrus (likening an orange in size but coloring closer to a lime) from a UNESCO protected area in Calabria where the Indicazione Geografica Protetta I.G.P. Bergamot is monikered as 'the green gold' of the region. They recommend enjoying the citrus-floral palate in an Italicus Spritz with lots of ice (1 part Italicus, 2 parts Prosecco, 3 olives to garnish) as the Prosecco allows the botanicals to shine and the olives bring a savory note to balance the floral notes. For an even purer way to enjoy the delicate layers of Italicus, swap out the sparkling wine for soda water and you might be more apt to catch its aromas of rose and lavender. Based in Cognac, France, Grand Marnier begins with oranges handpicked at their aromatic peak (when they're still green) of which the peels are dried in the sun to preserve the flavor and essential oil of the citrus. The dried peels are then dissected for the zest to be macerated (expel the oils) over eight days; the detailed and slow distillation is what accounts for the concentrated bitter orange flavor of this liqueur. Aside from margaritas, Grand Marnier offers nuance to a variety of cocktails including a riff on Tom Collins by using the bitter orange liqueur in place of a gin base for a fresher option (1.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 barspoons simple syrup, 3 oz soda water).
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New date revealed for Glasgow festival postponed due to Storm Éowyn
The Scottish National Whisky Festival is set to return to Glasgow in April. The event, which was postponed in January due to Storm Éowyn, will now take place at the Scottish Event Campus on April 5, increasing the size and capacity of the event by more than 30 per cent. This makes it the festival's biggest edition to date and one of the largest whisky exhibitions in the country. Tickets are on sale now at The Glasgow edition will give festival-goers the chance to sample hundreds of whiskies (Image: Supplied) The Glasgow edition will have two sessions, with the first taking place from 12pm to 3.30pm, and the second session from 4.30 to 8pm. The event give festival-goers the chance to sample hundreds of whiskies from world-renowned distilleries and independent bottlers. This includes old school gems like J & A Mitchell's and Cadenhead's, Islay powerhouses like Ardbeg, and lesser-known producers. The event will also feature guest exhibitors as part of the festival's Flavour & Experimental offering, showcasing Scottish rums, liqueurs, and more. Tickets are on sale now (Image: Supplied) There will be pop-ups from Glasgow's multi-award-winning cocktail bar, The Absent Ear, exclusive brewery collaborations, and artisan local food stalls. The festival will also feature live entertainment, including music from celebrated Scottish performers in collaboration with Celtic Connections, and seminars from notable voices within the whisky world. All products sampled will be available to purchase directly from each exhibitor stand with an exclusive festival discount. Gareth Croll, festival co-ordinator, said: "I'm so excited to reveal our country-wide festival plans for 2025, but first and foremost, the announcement of a new date for our much-loved Glasgow edition in April will surely steal the show. "We were devastated to have to postpone January's festival in SWG3 due to Storm Éowyn, however, we've turned it into a positive and with the space available in SEC the overall size of our event has in fact grown. "We are all raring to go and can't wait to deliver a landmark day for Scottish whisky, music, and culture - see you there."
