Let’s shed some light on liqueurs: everything you need to know about these delicious spirits
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28 May 2024

Let’s shed some light on liqueurs: everything you need to know about these delicious spirits

Liqueurs are a symphony of flavors to discover. They’re easy to find at the SAQ, but how do we use them? Here’s everything you need to know!

First and foremost, what is a liqueur?

Liqueur is a type of distilled beverage with several differentiating characteristics, one of which is that it generally contains more sugar than other spirits. In fact, it is created with a minimum of 100 grams per liter, giving it a more or less syrupy texture. Each liqueur is unique, with a wide range of flavors created by fruit, herbs and spices. As this type of alcoholic beverage is very sweet and aromatic, it is often used as a second spirit in a cocktail recipe.

The Noroi method

We love liqueurs at Noroi, mainly because they allow us to explore a wide range of flavors. Therefore, we have fun using local ingredients in its conception. For example, organic plums from Michel Clair’s orchard in the Saint-Michel-De-Bellechasse region are used in our plum liqueur. In a circular economy approach, we have even used peels from oranges that were previously used for juice production, to create our orange liqueur. These peels are then used to create our orange bitters. Using local ingredients allows us to maintain flavor accuracy and create versatile products of interest to mixology enthusiasts.

The Noroi range of liqueurs includes eleven products, five of which are exclusive to our boutique. You’re welcome to come and discover them on your next visit!

How do we use liqueurs in cocktails?

These delicious spirits can be enjoyed on the rocks or in cocktails. They can even be used in the kitchen to add flavor to dishes.

The amount of liqueur to incorporate into a cocktail depends on several factors:

  • Type of cocktail: Some cocktails have a base of spirits and a small amount of liqueur, while others have equal proportions.
  • Personal taste: The amount of liqueur can be adjusted according to your taste preferences. If you don’t like cocktails that are too sweet, you can reduce the amount used or reduce the portion of other sugars (simple syrup, jam, etc.).
  • The alcohol content of the liqueur: Some liqueurs contain more alcohol than others. This can influence the composition of a cocktail.

 

Discover liqueurs through classic cocktails

Liqueurs are present in many well-known cocktails, such as the classic Cosmopolitan, which is made with orange liqueur. To concoct a spritz (the perfect Italian cocktail!) you need a bitter liqueur called aperitivo, and for the famous Amaretto Sour, some almond liqueur.

Explore mixology with a little creativity

To have a bit of fun, you can incorporate liqueurs into several cocktail recipes. For example, you could add a little raspberry liqueur to your mojito, or tweak your Tom Collins with a lemon liqueur. Don’t be afraid to be creative and add your own twist to the classics.

If you’d like to stock up on ideas, the “Recipes” tab on our website is full of suggestions!

Will you test your mixology skills? Share your recipes with us!