Aperol
A sweet Italian aperitivo tasting of orange and rhubarb. Lovely on its own, or in the classic Aperol Spritz with prosecco and soda.
Bénédictine
A French herbal liqueur made with twenty-seven herbs, roots and spices. Essential in a Vieux Carré, and delicious on ice.
Campari
The bitter Italian red, unchanged since 1860, with a big orange-peel bite. Made for the Negroni, or just with soda.
Cointreau
A French orange liqueur, zesty and floral. The supporting act in the Sidecar and the Margarita.
Lillet Blanc
A French aromatised wine with honey and citrus and a light bitter edge. Best chilled after dinner, or in a Corpse Reviver No. 2.
24 recipes
Classic liqueurs cocktails
AmericanoBittersweet and bubbly, like a lighter, more refreshing cousin of the Negroni.
BelliniSoft, ripe peach wrapped in fine, delicate bubbles.
Between the SheetsCitrusy and rich at once, like a sidecar with extra backbone.
Brandy CrustaRich brandy and citrus oil with a sweet crust on every sip.
Champagne CocktailFine champagne bubbles with a bittersweet edge from the soaked sugar.
Champs-ÉlyséesHerbal and bright, cognac's warmth cut by Chartreuse's green intensity and a clean lemon snap.
Chartreuse SwizzleIntensely herbal and sharp, with lime keeping it from feeling too medicinal.
FernanditoBittersweet cola with a sharp, minty, herbal bite running through it.
French ConnectionNutty almond sweetness wrapped around warm, fruity cognac.
GaribaldiBittersweet orange juice with Campari's herbal edge running through it.
GrasshopperSweet mint chocolate, smooth and creamy, like dessert in a glass.
Horse's NeckGentle brandy warmth under bubbly ginger ale and fresh lemon oil.
Jack RoseTart apple and lime with grenadine's sweetness rounding out the brandy's fruit.
KirCrisp white wine rounded out by a deep blackcurrant sweetness.
MimosaLight, fruity orange juice lifted by fine champagne bubbles.
Pisco PunchTropical pineapple sweetness with pisco's grapey character and bright lime.
Pisco SourTart and grapey with a light, foamy top and a dash of bitter spice.
Porto FlipRich, wine-sweet and velvety, almost like a boozy custard.
Sherry CobblerNutty sherry sweetness with fresh fruit and a light, cooling crunch of ice.
SidecarRich cognac balanced right against tart lemon and orange sweetness.
SpritzBittersweet orange with fine bubbles, light and easy to drink.
StingerCool mint right over warm brandy, almost like an after-dinner mint in a glass.
Trinidad SourIntensely spiced and bittersweet, unlike almost anything else behind a bar.
Ve.n.toFloral and light with gentle citrus and plenty of fine bubbles.