Essential Spirits

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Liqueurs

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

Among some of the oldest spirits, liqueurs are made from a base alcohol that’s distilled or macerated with various ingredients and then sweetened. In general, liqueurs make up to 35 percent sugar by volume, and crème liqueurs such as crème de menthe make up to 40 percent sugar. A liqueur can be herbal (Chartreuse), citrus- or fruit-based (Cointreau), floral (violet-inflected parfait amour), or nut- or seed-based (nocino, made from unripe green walnuts).

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Brandy

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

Brandies, such as Armagnac and Cognac from France, are distilled from a fermented mash. Another well-known French brandy is Calvados, which is made in the Normandy region using apples or pears. In the United States, applejack blends apple brandy and neutral spirits. Other brandy styles found worldwide include pisco, made in Peru and Chile from aromatic grapes, and eau-de-vie, a type popular in the European Alps that is produced by distilling fermented fruit mash without aging it before bottling.

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Aperitifs (Spirit-Based)

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

With the rise of bottles such as Aperol, an Italian bitter orange aperitif made from bitter orange, low-proof, bitter spirit-based aperitifs like Campari have become popular in the US thanks to mixologists’ embrace. Pimm’s No. 1, an English aperitif made with gin, has subtle spice and citrus flavors, and Cynar, made with 13 herbs and plants, including artichokes, is another spirit-based aperitif.

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Aperitifs (Wine-Based)

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

The term aperitif is commonly used to describe any pre-dinner beverage, but it also specifically refers to a type of drink. These beverages are typically light, dry, and low in alcohol content, with distinctive bitter notes. Around one hundred years ago, bartenders began incorporating wine-based aperitifs into cocktails instead of simply serving them on their own before meals. This category includes quinquinas (or kinas), which contain quinine – a bitter extract derived from cinchona bark with a flavor similar to cinnamon. Some well-known examples include Lillet and Dubonnet. Lillet offers white, rosé, and red variations infused with citrus and subtle herbal flavors, while Dubonnet is a sweet combination of fortified wine, herbs, and spices.

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Wine

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

Vermouth is an aromatic fortified wine flavored with botanicals. Dry vermouth is a staple in martinis. Sweet vermouth, which is red, is best known as whiskey’s partner in Manhattan. A Bianco or French blanc is slightly sweeter than dry vermouth; a rosé or rosato vermouth is pink with a spicy flavor. Unlike other red vermouths, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino has a drier, more complex flavor.

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Whiskey

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

Whiskey is derived from a fermented mash of grains and then typically aged in oak barrels. Scotland and Japan are renowned for their single malts, specifically those made with 100 percent malted barley from a single distillery. Meanwhile, Highland Scotches offer a variety of styles hailing from the Scottish Highland region. The majority of peated whisky originates from Islay, also located in Scotland. Canada leans towards blended whiskies with high rye content, whereas Irish whiskeys tend to be smooth blends. Bourbon, robust rye, and unaged white whiskeys are popular in America. It is often mistakenly believed that bourbon must exclusively come from Kentucky; however, while 85 percent of the world’s bourbon is produced in Kentucky, the law stipulates that it must be made within the United States. Therefore, no specific requirement states that bourbon must originate from the Bluegrass State.

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Vodka

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on December 1, 2023

Many fruits and vegetables can be used as ingredients to make vodka, from grapes to beets. It is traditionally distilled from fermented grains or potatoes, but almost any fruit or vegetable can be used. Flavored vodkas are made by adding ingredients to a neutral spirit; the best macerate citrus, berries, or herbs in high-proof alcohol.

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Tequila

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on November 30, 2023

Genuine tequila is produced using 100 percent blue agave picked by hand, slowly cooked in ovens, fermented, and distilled. Blanco (white) tequila is not aged, while reposado (rested) tequila undergoes a maturing process of up to one year in barrels. Añejo (aged) tequila requires a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years of aging. Unlike tequila, mezcal has a distinct smoky taste because the agave is roasted in pits before fermentation. The top-quality mezcals are not aged. It’s worth noting that mezcal is not a type of tequila but encompasses any alcohol made from agave. On the other hand, tequila specifically uses Weber’s blue agave or agave tequilana.

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Rum

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on November 30, 2023

Rums, produced in tropical regions, are distilled from sugarcane or its residues. They come in various types, such as white (silver or light) rum, aged and filtered to remove color. Amber (or gold) rum is briefly matured in barrels and sometimes has caramel added for a darker hue. On the other hand, dark rums are made with molasses. They can include varieties such as blackstrap rum, which is rich and thick due to blackstrap molasses, and Demerara rum, hailing from Guyana’s Demerara River with a distinct burnt-sugar taste. Other options include rhum agricole and cachaça, both made by distilling fresh sugarcane juice.

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Gin

Last modified by Cocktail Recipes on November 30, 2023

Gin is produced by distilling a neutral grain spirit and various botanicals like juniper, coriander, and citrus peels. London dry is the most commonly consumed type of gin. However, other styles, such as Plymouth gin, have a less dry and more pronounced juniper flavor are available. On the other hand, Old Tom gin tends to be slightly sweeter than London dry. Some newer Western gins, like Hendrick’s, experiment with unique botanicals like rose petals. Before gin became popular, its predecessor, Genever, was a malted grain-based spirit with a rich assortment of botanical ingredients. Aquavit also shares similarities with gin: it is made from a neutral alcohol base infused with botanicals like caraway, citrus peels, and star anise.