Liqueurs are alcoholic beverages that are bottled with added sugar and have added flavors that are usually derived from fruits, herbs, or nuts. Liqueurs are distinct from eaux-de-vie, fruit brandy, and flavored liquors, which contain no added sugar. Most liqueurs range between 15% and 55% alcohol by volume.
How Liqueurs are Made:
Liqueurs are almost always made from liquors. A distilled spirit will have flavoring added, (either through maceration, infusion, or other methods), and will also have quite a bit of sweetener or sugar added as well. Some liqueurs have strict rules and regulations in the USA and EU (and elsewhere in the world) to give specific criteria for how much sugar may be used.
Liqueurs are a fairly common ingredient in cocktails, due to their ability to bring an amazing depth of flavor and complexity to a cocktail. They range from single-flavor liqueurs (like Peppermint Schnapps) to very complex (like Green Chartreuse) and give the cocktail creator a huge variety of flavors to play with – without having to keep a pantry full of fresh fruits, herbs and spices.