National Liqueur Day in the USA on October 16th

Liqueurs belong to the group of spirits but differ from classic schnapps or whiskey. They are flavored by adding sugar, fruits, herbs, or spices. By definition, a liqueur must contain at least 2.5% plant substances and sweeteners.

Due to their sweet taste, liqueurs are not only a popular digestif when enjoyed neat. They are also excellent as an ingredient for cocktails and give mixed drinks a special touch. Thanks to their higher density, they can even be layered on top of each other in the glass, creating exciting visual effects.

Popular Liqueurs in the USA

The selection of liqueurs is vast. These five varieties are among the most popular in the USA:

• Campari: The bitter Italian liqueur has been a classic in bars since the beginning of the 20th century. It is the main ingredient in the Negroni cocktail.
• Kahlúa: The world's best-selling coffee liqueur gives drinks like White Russian its distinctive taste.
• Cointreau: The orange liqueur with bitter-sweet notes is a component of over 350 cocktails, including Sidecar, Cosmopolitan, and Margarita.
• St-Germain: The elderflower liqueur with its delicate floral aroma goes well with almost any cocktail, earning it the nickname "bartender's ketchup".
• Chartreuse: The herbal liqueur made by monks since the 17th century is the only naturally green liqueur in the world. It continues to mature even in the bottle.

Besides these classics, there are countless other liqueurs to discover - from cherry to chocolate to violet. A single day is hardly enough. So why not try new liqueurs again and again throughout the year - but of course always in moderation.