Yes, liqueurs can go off. Liqueurs are essentially high-proof spirits that have been sweetened and flavoured with fruits, herbs, or spices. As with all alcoholic beverages, liqueurs will eventually spoil if not stored properly. The alcohol in liqueurs acts as a preservative, but if the liqueur is exposed to too much air or heat it can become cloudy, develop a sour taste, or even start to ferment.

Liqueurs & Other Spirits

Q: What defines a liqueur?

Liqueurs are a type of alcoholic beverage that is made from distilled spirits, such as brandy or vodka, and flavored with fruits, herbs, spices, or cream. They typically contain between 15 and 60% alcohol by volume. Liqueurs are sweeter and more syrupy compared to spirits. Some common liqueurs include Baileys, Amaretto, and Kahlua. Liqueurs are meant to be enjoyed on their own or in cocktails. They are also often used as ingredients in baking or desserts. Because they are so sweet, liqueurs can be a great way to add some extra flavour to a dish without having to use too much sugar.

Q: What type of glasses are best for drinking liqueurs?

It all depends on the type of liqueur. For liqueurs that are cream-based or have a fruit flavour, it's usually best to drink them from a stemmed glass so that you can enjoy the aroma. A sweet liqueur like Bailey's is also best sipped from a stemmed glass to prevent the sweet liquid from coating your teeth and making them sticky. Meanwhile, for coffee-flavoured liqueurs like Tia Maria or Kahlúa, it's customary to drink them from a specially designed coffee mug with a long handle.

The term ‘liqueur’ refers to any distilled alcoholic drink that gets infused with additional ingredients like sugar, fruit, nuts, berries, herbs, spices, or a combination of them all. The age-old art of liqueur making boasts famous examples from around the globe, many of which have woven their way into legendary cocktails that stand the test of time, as well as forming an essential part of any experimental mixologist’s arsenal. There’s no Amaretto Sour without the luxuriously nutty hit of Amaretto. There’s no Jägerbomb without the intense herbal blast of Jägermeister. There’s no Negroni without the bitter rasp of Campari. You get the idea. To the seasoned drinker, liqueurs are as necessary as it gets.

As well as being intimately linked to the world of cocktails, liqueurs also extend to stand-alone aperitifs and digestifs. A milky Pernod on ice to begin a long lunch? An Irish Cream to round off an indulgent dinner? Whatever you’re shopping for, you’ll find it ready to buy when you shop our huge online collection.

What defines a liqueur?

What type of glasses are best for drinking liqueurs?

Can liqueurs go off?