The 40 Best Liqueurs for Your Bar Cart

Unlocking the full potential of your home bar relies not on amassing a vast selection of spirits, though that certainly helps, but stocking up on some choice liqueurs. No matter how many bottles of gin, bourbon, or tequila your collection boasts, you can say goodbye to most of the world’s most iconic cocktails without these relevant supporting actors.

Still, the range of different styles of liqueurs runs intimidatingly long. And, if we’re being honest, there is no occasion or cocktail that justifies a place for Peanut Butter Cream liqueur on your bar cart. On the other hand, pick up a bottle of, say, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, and a list of iconic, historical cocktails awaits.

In this roundup, we’ve broken down the broad style into three sub-categories: The classics, contemporary (or future) classics, and regional favorites. The first comprises the famous bottles that are essential for notable cocktails. The second includes modern variations on those liqueurs as well as brands we think may become popular in the future. And the final section highlights lesser-known bottles that are more specific to individual regions.

From an easygoing intro to amaro to monk-produced medicinal elixirs, the following 40 liqueurs are worthy of a place on your bar cart.

The Classics

Aperol

Aperol needs no introduction and, chances are, there may already be a bottle in your collection thanks to the popularity and crushability of the Aperol Spritz. Look beyond Prosecco and soda water, however, to discover this liqueur’s versatility. Start with the Paper Plane then graduate on to the Naked and Famous, where it sings in equal parts along with mezcal, lime juice, and Yellow Chartreuse.

Average price: $27

Campari

Aperol’s burly elder sibling in many respects, Campari also no doubt already owns a place on your bar cart. Similarly, there’s a strong chance you may not be getting the most out of the bittersweet red aperitivo, though. Switch the Negroni’s gin for bourbon and you’ll soon be sipping on a Boulevardier. Opt instead for rye and dry vermouth to acquaint yourself with the Old Pal. And for lighter options that pack more of a punch than Aperol-based drinks, look to the Milano-Torino and Americano.

Average price: $33

Chartreuse

Made for centuries by Carthusian monks in the Chartreuse Mountains in southeastern France, this medicinal elixir arrives in multiple different forms and bottlings, the most common of which are Green and Yellow. The Green is bolder and higher ABV than Yellow, though both have complex flavors that span sweet, savory, and herbaceous. Green Chartreuse appears most notably in the Last Word and Bijou (a Negroni riff that sees it take the place of Campari), while Yellow Chartreuse shines in the Martini-inspired Alaska Cocktail, as well as the earlier mentioned Naked and Famous.

Average price: $82

Cointreau

Beyond its close association with the standard Margarita, you’d be surprised by how many classic cocktail recipes Cointreau pops up in. From the Sidecar to the Corpse Reviver No. 2 and the Cosmopolitan, one bottle of Cointreau goes a long way. (For a list of alternatives, explore VinePairs guide of the best orange liqueurs.)

Average price: $38

Galliano L’Autentico

Like Chartreuse, Licor 43, and Cynar, Galliano L’Autentico’s recipe is a guarded company secret. But we do know that it contains juniper, caraway, cloves, vanilla, anise, and a handful of herbs and botanicals. Tastewise, Galliano L’Autentico bears a minty, herbaceous profile peppered with vanilla and licorice that sips well below its 42.3 percent ABV. Try it out in a Pornstar Martini or kitschy, disco-era delights like the Harvey Wallbanger.

Average price: $25

Kahlúa

The Espresso Martini — need we say any more? Probably not, but here are a few extra reasons to reach for a bottle of Kahlúa the next time you’re at the liquor store: Among a new-ish wave of coffee and cold brew flavored liqueurs, Kahlúa remains, for many, the go-to. While the White Russian and Black Russian cocktails deserve an honorable mention when it comes to uses, don’t shy away from using this liqueur as a modifier. Start with a bar spoon in your next Negroni.

Average price: $28

Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

This Marasca cherry-based Italian liqueur is instantly recognizable on back bars, and not just because of its awkward height and straw wrapping. There’s a good reason any bar worth going to will have a bottle on hand: Without it, you can say goodbye to a long list of classics including the Martinez, Hemingway Daiquiri, Last Word, and Aviation.

Average price: $44

Pernod Absinthe

While the Green Fairy won’t make you hallucinate, rinsing a glass with a few splashes brings many iconic cocktails to life, including the Sazerac and Corpse Reviver No. 2. If you want the wormwood-flavored liqueur to take a more starring role, try it in Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon. As for brands, it doesn’t get more classic than Pernod.

Average price: $85

Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

Like Cointreau, Curaçao is an orange liqueur. However, while the former is made with orange peels sourced from all over the world, Curaçao exclusively uses tropical oranges sourced from its namesake island off the Venezuelan coast. There are many brands of Curaçao out there — most of which are rum-based — but this stellar offering from Pierre Ferrand employs Cognac. Crafted in collaboration with cocktail historian David Wondrich, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao opens with notes of orange creamsicles, followed by a palate that showcases every aspect of the oranges, from rind to flesh. This bottle will elevate your Mai Tai to the next level.

Average price: $33

St-Germain

Described as “bartenders’ ketchup,” this elderflower liqueur has the ability to improve countless drinks, especially those made with clear spirits. Of course, you have to try it also in its namesake cocktail, mixed with sparkling wine and soda water, and garnished with a lemon peel.

Average price: $40

Suze

The White Negroni stands among a handful of drinks that could be considered true “modern classics,” and the drink owes as much to Suze as the original does to Campari. Bracingly bitter, the French gentian liqueur has a vibrant yellow-gold hue and packs a mighty punch even when used in small quantities.

Average price: $33

Contemporary (or Future) Classics

Alma Tepec Licor de Chile Pasilla Mixe

Founded in 2021, Alma Tepec began with “the idea to bottle the flavors of the rare chiles of Oaxaca for use in cocktails.” The first — and currently only — release from the brand is this liqueur made with Pasilla Mixe chile, a coveted variety cultivated in the remote Sierra Mixe mountains of Oaxaca. Once harvested, the Alma Tepec team smoke-dries the chiles in handmade earth ovens for several days before cutting them open and macerating them in a sugarcane distillate for up to a year. After maceration, the brand lightly sweetens the product with sugarcane juice. The resulting liquid opens up with rich, earthy aromas of hot peppers, smoke, and mesquite barbecue. The palate follows with notes of charcoal, chiles, and sweet red berries, culminating in a long, spicy finish. Use this as a modifier in a Margarita, Martinez, or mezcal-based cocktails.

Average price: $40

Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur

Before Alma Tepec, the category of chile liqueurs was essentially invented by the Reyes family in 1927. Fast forward to 2012, and Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur made its debut on the U.S. market. Seven years later, the Campari Group acquired the brand, and now Ancho Reyes is available at most liquor stores around the country. If looking to spice up agave-based cocktails without using a flavored spirit or fresh ingredients, this smoky, spicy, slightly sweet ancho chile liqueur is the way to go. Once you’re done enjoying it in Margaritas and Palomas, add a splash to whiskey-based classics like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan for a complex new take.

Average price: $38

Bonanto

If you’re searching for a bottle with the sweetness of Aperol but an ABV that’s closer to Campari, try Bonanto. A Spanish, wine-based bitter red aperitivo, this liqueur is fruity and light, and ideal for simple summer highballs. Perhaps you’d like to take it for a spin in a Negroni Sbagliato. In this case, we suggest keeping it consistent and opting for Cava in place of Prosecco (sorry, Emma D’Arcy).

Average price: $33

Brucato Amaro Woodlands

Brucato Amaro Woodlands is an ode to the live oak woodlands of the California coast. Crafted with elderberries, figs, and cacao, this liqueur pours a dark copper brown and exudes deep woodsy notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, cedar, and black licorice. A delightfully weighty palate follows up with a chorus of oak, toffee, chocolate-covered strawberries, and black figs that lasts long after the first sip. This liqueur shines equally as a neat pour or a cocktail component.

Average price: $40

Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur

Stateside drinkers and bartenders have yet to take to the Pornstar Martini with the same fervor as those in the U.K. and Europe, through no fault of the playful cocktail. Maybe that will change soon, especially with U.S. bartenders increasingly adopting this liqueur. Intensely aromatic, with balanced sweetness, tartness, and acidity, Chinola adeptly captures the essence of the stunning tropical fruit.

Average price: $31

Du Nord Pronounced Apple Liqueur

This spiced apple liqueur hails from America’s first black-owned distillery, Minneapolis’ Du Nord Social Spirits. Made with a blend of locally sourced apple cider, neutral spirit, and multiple spices, the brand’s Pronounced Apple Liqueur kicks off with a nose redolent of freshly-baked apple pie and glazed cinnamon apple slices. The palate delivers on the nose’s promises and finishes with just a touch of tartness. Use this in autumnal cocktails, Old Fashioned riffs, and any number of stirred, spirit-forward classics.

Average price: $37

Faccia Brutto Carciofo

For fans of Cynar looking for a slightly sweeter substitute, pick up a bottle of Faccia Brutto Carciofo. California artichokes and 19 different botanicals combine in this liqueur, creating an inviting aroma with notes of cola, menthol, and savory herbs. On the palate, mint gives way to prominent notes of cinnamon and sage. It may be a tad more expensive than a bottle of Cynar, but this liqueur works wonders in spritzes and modern classics that call for the artichoke-based amaro.

Average price: $38

Flor de Azar Triple Sec

For a beautifully balanced triple sec with a bit of spice, look no further than Flor de Azar. Crafted and bottled by an all-female team in Mexico City, this liqueur mixes oranges, mandarins, and pomelos with eight Mexican botanicals before agave is added for sweetness. The resulting liquid bursts with notes of candied citrus, black pepper, and subtle undertones of anise. This profile carries seamlessly onto the palate, with cinnamon and spice both appearing on the finish.

Average price: $34

Fords Sloe Gin

Despite the resurgent popularity of the Martini, gin remains another area that highlights the difference in drinking preferences on the opposite sides of the Atlantic. So you might rightly question the chances of a subcategory of that spirit (Sloe Gin) taking off on these shores. But if any brand and product can do it, it’s Fords. Made by steeping sloes, plum-like fruits, in gin and sweetening, as well as proofing down to 29 percent ABV, this liqueur is complex, soulful, and bracing on the palate. Become acquainted with it via the striking Sloe Gin Fizz.

Average price: $36

Forthave Spirits Brown Coffee Liqueur

In the wake of Espresso Martini mania, there are now countless coffee liqueurs on the market, but few land as rich and decadent as this offering from Brooklyn’s Forthave Spirits. Brown Coffee Liqueuer is produced with pacamará ambar, a Nicaraguan single origin coffee bean known for its chocolatey profile. That characteristic shines on the nose of this liqueur, along with notes of espresso, buttercream, and toffee. The palate hits like a well-made cappuccino while a tannic dryness closes the show on the finish.

Average price: $42

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

This botanical liqueur’s profile centers around bergamot, the zesty citrus most notable for giving Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavor. Alluring, perfumed aromas flourish on the nose of this attractive liqueur. On the palate, it shares the bitter complexity of vermouth, while the texture is luscious without being overly sweet.

Average price: $40

Juliette Peach Liqueur

In a world where sticky-sweet cocktails of decades past have given peach liqueurs a bad rap, Juliette Peach Liqueur arrives as a breath of fresh air. Produced with eau-de-vie, brandy, and heirloom peaches from the heart of France’s Rhône Valley, this French liqueur captures the pure essence of ripe, peak-season peaches from nose to finish. The palate packs a silky smooth viscosity and builds on its peach core with notes of vanilla and honey. Sip this one neat, on the rocks, or use it to reinvent disco-era classics.

Average price: $50

Le Moné

A New-York-born, wine-based, low-ABV (16 percent) aperitif, Le Moné is a nuanced and versatile bar cart staple. The flagship Meyer lemon offering serves a bright and zesty profile, which lands somewhere between a wine or vermouth and a liqueur. Add a splash to classic cocktails such as the Martini, Margarita, or Caipirinha, and you’ll never look back. You will, however, be quick to explore alternative expressions, such as the fruity Meyer Lemon and Grapefruit or the irresistible Meyer Lemon, Raspberry, and Lavender.

Average price: $35

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Much like the chicken and egg conundrum, it’s hard to tell whether bartenders have turned to this Australian coffee liqueur in droves because of the popularity of the Espresso Martini, or if that very cocktail has gained a new lease of life thanks to Mr Black. Regardless, this brand is fast becoming a staple at the world’s best bars, and it deserves a place in your lineup too.

Average price: $31

UME Plum Liqueur

From California, this medium-bodied, semi-sweet liqueur is crafted with fresh plums, cherries, and grapes. Fittingly, plum notes lead the nose and palate, both of which have a tart profile and fresh fruitiness. Enjoy as an aperitif or in highballs.

Average price: $36

Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur

Another New York (Brooklyn) offering, Rockey’s is crafted with green and black tea, citrus, apples, and pineapple. At 12 percent ABV, its fruity, complex profile lends itself to refreshing highballs that won’t leave you regretting your drinking decisions the morning after. We also love it on the rocks with a lime wedge.

Average price: $25

Sorel Liqueur

For the uninitiated, Sorrel is a spiced Caribbean drink whose main flavor derives from fresh or dried hibiscus flowers. Classical preparations can, but don’t always, include booze, and require a not insignificant time investment. At least that was the case until this bottled, ready-to-drink liqueur launched, bursting onto the scene with dazzling winter spices, and a profile not too distant from (a lighter) mulled wine. Pick up a bottle for festive celebrations.

Average price: $36

St. George Spirits Spiced Pear Liqueur

One of America’s oldest craft distilleries, St. George Spirits celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. Over the course of those four decades, the California distillery has proven eager to experiment and counted no style of distillate (or liqueur) off-limits. Among its bounty of high-quality offerings is this spiced liqueur, which opens with attractive baking spice aromas, then lands with decadent pear notes on the palate.

Average price: $36

Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane

Tempus Fugit’s goal is to “source and recreate rare spirits and liqueurs from the pages of history to satisfy the demands of the most discerning connoisseur.” This bottle more than lives up to that mission statement. Based on a 19th century recipe, Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane is naturally flavored and colored with ripened bananas, delivering a golden amber liquid that brims with notes of Bananas Foster, caramel, and toffee. Its sweet, but balanced, profile makes it a decadent standalone sipper, after-dinner coffee float, or component in tropical cocktails.

Average price: $40

Regional Favorites

Amaretto del Cansiglio

Disaronno may be the biggest name in Amaretto, but this expression from Italy’s Distilleria dell’Alpe makes for a more balanced alternative — with a less awkward bottle design. Crafted with Sicilian sweet and bitter almonds, grapefruit, Calabrian orange peels, and fresh Alpine water, this Amaretto comes out swinging with silky aromas of marzipan, strawberry licorice, and citrus pith. The palate adds a dose of vanilla, resulting in a smooth digestif that is both more complex and less sweet than most other Amarettos.

Average price: $30

Amaro Nonino Quintessentia

Made in Friuli, in northeastern Italy, this grappa-based digestif offers a light and approachable intro to amari. You’ll get the most mileage out of Amaro Nonino via the Paper Plane, but there are other cocktails in which it shines, often alongside bourbon. For a simpler option, enjoy over ice with a fresh orange wedge or lemon peel.

Average price: $52

Fernet-Branca

It’s hard to say whether Fernet-Branca remains a bonafide “bartender’s handshake,” given its surge into the relative American mainstream in recent years (in other countries, notably Argentina, Fernet-Branca has been a staple for centuries). When you’re not knocking back shots of the bittersweet, medicinal-tasting amaro, consider the Toronto, a complex Canadian whisky-based spin on the Old Fashioned, or stirred with gin and sweet vermouth in the Hanky Panky.

Average price: $38

Joseph Cartron Bergamote

Although Burgundian fruit liqueur brand Joseph Cartron is best known for its black currant liqueur, Crème de Cassis de Bourgogne, the brand’s bergamot liqueur is not to be slept on. Crafted with a base of sugar beet distillate and three different species of Italian bergamot, this expression opens with notes of citrus zest, vanilla, and savory chile lime seasoning. On the palate, the profile is akin to buttery lime custard tarts. Mix this with tonic water or add to a Tom Collins riff.

Average price: $40

Pallini Limoncello

While a cello can technically be produced with any type of citrus, the category is best associated with the original lemon-based after-dinner digestif: limoncello. This expression is based on a recipe developed over 100 years ago by the Pallini family in Italy. It uses Sfusato lemons from the Amalfi Coast, resulting in a dense concentration of sweet and tangy citrus notes from nose to finish. Enjoy it on its own or take it for a spin in a highball for sessionable, summertime refreshment.

Average price: $30

Select Aperitivo

In many ways, Select represents Venice’s answer to Campari, even if it arrives closer to the proof of Aperol. The profile is more bitter and complex than the latter, with pronounced savory and herbal notes. Enjoy as they do in the Floating City in a spritz with a few skewered green olives to garnish.

Average price: $29

Tamworth Garden Mountain Berry Cordial

The team at New Hampshire’s Tamworth Distilling takes locally sourced honeyberries, raspberries, and aronia berries and infuses them with a house-made neutral spirit before finishing the blend in white oak barrels to produce this cordial. It pours a violet hue and bursts with notes of raw honeycomb, roses, and brambleberries with a light waft of herbaceousness. The palate leads with a juicy, lip-smacking tartness before shifting to a dry, tannic finish reminiscent of fresh cranberries. Turn to this for your next Bramble, or apply it to a Mojito riff.

Average price: $35

Verino Mastiha Antica

Named after the famed sap of the Mastic tree, mastiha is a traditional Grecian liqueur whose piney, birch-like character somewhat resembles that of gin. Concentrated anise notes arrive on the palate of this particular offering, which is complex without being intimidating. Cocktail creators: Have at it!

Average price: $30

Vicario Dragoncello Liqueur

Despite its name, there’s no dragonfruit in this liqueur, but rather French tarragon a.k.a. artemisia dracunculus. Produced by Vicario Spirits in South Carolina, this liqueur combines locally sourced tarragon, neutral wheat spirit, and organic sugarcane juice for a digestif that harnesses flavors of anise, gingerbread, and of course, tarragon. Enjoy it on its own, as a float on top of a Piña Colada, or swap it with absinthe in a Corpse Reviver No. 2.

Average price: $45

Zucca Rabarbaro

First concocted in 1845, this Italian-born amaro was created by Ettore Zucca as an aid for indigestion, but it functions just as well as a recreational sipper or cocktail component. The star ingredient, Chinese rhubarb, takes center stage, while bitter orange peel and cardamom play supporting roles that come through on the nose. The palate leads with notes of rich mocha, rhubarb, and blackberries with a touch of smoke and spice on the finish. It’s the perfect balance of bitter and sweet, and a must-try in Black Manhattans.

Average price: $27

FAQ

What is the difference between liquor and a liqueur?

In the United States, liquor is used as a synonym for spirits, which must be bottled at a minimum of 40 percent ABV by law. Liqueurs, on the other hand, typically arrive at a much lower proof, and include various flavor-giving ingredients. Many, but not all, liqueurs deliver a sweet profile.

How do you serve liqueur?

Given the vast range of alcohols that fall under the liqueur umbrella, there are multiple different uses for this alcohol. Popular preparations include simple highballs and sipping on the rocks with a citrus garnish.

Should liqueurs be refrigerated?

Most liqueurs arrive with a lower alcohol content than spirits, meaning they are not always shelf- stable after opening. However, the heightened sugar content ensures that many will last for at least a year at room temperature after opening.

VinePair’s tasting methodology

Throughout the year, VinePair conducts numerous tastings for our popular Buy This Booze column, and wine and spirits reviews. Our mission is to provide a clear, reliable source of information for drinkers, providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking.

Tastings are not typically conducted blind. In alignment with our reviews mission, we believe in purposefully tasting all products as our readers typically would, with full knowledge of the producer, the region, and — importantly — the price.

For Buy This Booze roundups, we typically include a maximum of one expression per brand, though we do allow multiple products from the same production facility (i.e., released under different labels).

In creating this list of liqueurs, we sought to highlight the most popular and useful bottles in the category. Those that made the final list did so because of their versatility, availability, and overall balance of flavor.

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