Liqueurs & Cordials

A spirit (vodka, whiskey) is distilled and unsweetened; a liqueur is a spirit that's been sweetened and flavored — amaretto, triple sec, coffee and cream liqueurs. Liqueurs are usually lower in alcohol and used in cocktails or sipped after dinner.

Most liqueurs keep for years unopened and stay good long after opening thanks to their sugar content. The exception is cream liqueurs (like Irish cream) — refrigerate after opening and use within about 6–12 months.

A versatile starter set: an orange liqueur (triple sec/Cointreau) for margaritas and cosmos, a coffee liqueur for espresso martinis, amaretto for sours, and a vermouth for Manhattans and Negronis.

Once opened, yes — cream liqueurs contain dairy and last longest chilled, ideally used within 6–12 months. Unopened, they're fine in a cool cupboard until the date on the bottle.