A green liqueur made with anise seed flavor and wormwood (banned in U.S.).
Pernod, Veritas, Abisante, and Anis Herbsaint Mistra.
Warm weather drinks served frosty with ice and garnished with slices of fruit. Made with water or soda, lemon or lime juice and a variety of liquors.
AMER PICON
An aperitif (before meal, like an appetizer) from France, made from quinine, oranges, and gentian. Has a bitter, orange flavor.
ANISETTE
See absinthe.
APERITIF
Mild pre-dinner drink used to stimulate the appetite.
APPLE BRANDY
Distilled from apple cider.
Apple Jack or Calvados.
ARRACK
A beverage of the Far East or Near East. Sweet flavor. Made from the juice of the coconut palm or from rice and molasses.
BENEDICTINE
Fine brandy with secret formula of 27 herbs and spices such as hyssop, mint and melissa. The letters D.O.M. on the label stand for Deo Optimo Maximo - 'to God, most good, most great.'
Monastique or Southern Comfort
BITTERS
A strong flavoring agent made from roots, barks, herbs and berries. Angostura Bitters is the type commonly used in the U.S. for mixed drinks. It can also be used as a flavor substitute for salt. Underberg and Fernet Branca are made in Europe
and meant to be served straight in glasses as a 'pick me up'. Both have a bitter taste, however a mint version of Fernet Branca (from Italy), called Branca Menta, has a slightly more agreeable taste. Another type, Amer Picon, is often served with ice and
BOURBON
Whiskey distilled from a mash of at least 10% corn and then aged in charred oak barrels.
BRANDY
Distilled from a mash of grapes or fruits. If not referenced by a specific name, it refers to one of the many grape types.
CANADIAN WHISKEY
Lighter than U.S. whiskey. 80 Proof.
CHANNELLE
A cinnamon liqueur.
CHARTREUSE
Two color liqueur. Yellow (80-86 proof) being lighter and green (110 proof) being heavier. Brandy based with approximately 130 herbs. Spicy and aromatic.
COINTREAU
A liqueur with an orange flavor.
Triple Sec, Orange Caracao and Grand Marnier.
CREME d' YVETTE
A violette flavored liqueur.
CREME de CACAO
Can be either a dark or light liqueur made from the cocoa bean. Sweet chocolate flavor, with additional flavors sometimes added.
CREME de CASSIS
A fruit liqueur made from Currants.
CREME de MENTHE
A peppermint liqueur colored either red, green or clear.
CURACAO
Made from peels of the Curacao orange. Comes in blue, white, green and orange colors, all tasting the same. See COINTREAU
DRAMBUIE
A Scotch based liqueur with honey and other ingredients added.
FRAISE
Brandy or liqueur made from strawberries.
FRAMBOISE
Brandy or liqueur made from raspberries.
GALLIANO
Vanilla and spice flavor brandy. Made in Italy.
Strega
Gin is distilled from grain and has juniper berries added as a flavoring. Gin is the perfect mixer, but may be served ice cold in tiny glasses. As with many spirits, gin appears to settle digestion.
Old Tom Gin - Sweet Island Girl - Flavored Schnapps.
GRENADINE
A pomegranate flavored syrup, used to add flavor to a drink.
KAHLUA
A Mexican coffee liqueur, flavored with vanilla.
KIRSCH
A type of Black cherry flavored brandy.
KUMMEL
A Caraway flavored brandy.
MARASCHINO
Cherry flavor or a cherry liqueur.
NOYAU
(Also spelled NOYAUX or NOYA) - An Almond flavored brandy or liqueur. Creme de Noya can substitute for Creme de Almond.
ORGEAT
A sweet, non-alcoholic almond flavored syrup.
Originated in Greece - anise flavored. See ABSINTHE
PASSION FRUIT
Flavor of either peach or mango, from Hawaii. Non-alcoholic.
PEPPERMINT SCHNAPPSA mint liqueur similar to a light Creme de Menthe or a Holland gin. Has a higher proof than creme de menthe, however.
PERNOD
Licorice flavor. See ABSINTHE
PRUNELLE
Plum flavored brandy. Also available as Creme de Prunelle. Sometimes fig, prune and vanilla flavors are blended in also.
A liqueur distilled from sugar cane. Dark Run - Excellent for hot punches, but strong, usually 86 to 151 proof. Golden Rum - A light rum that is good straight or in a simple mixed drink. White Rum - Colorless with a delicate flavor. A good rum may
be served straight, in a small ballon glass. It should be warmed slightly with your hands while sipping.
A whiskey distilled from a mash at least 51% rye grain.
SLOE GIN
A gin made with sloe berries from the blackthorn bush instead of juniper.
SOUTHERN COMFORT
A bourbon (whiskey) base, peach flavored liqueur from New Orleans.
TEQUILLA
A Mexican liquor distilled from mescal produced by the century plant. White - Sold soon after it is produced. Has a light flavor with, typically a spicy aroma. Gold - Aged in wood vats for at least nine months with some carmel added to improve
the color. The finest tequila is called ANEJO, meaning old.
TRIPLE SEC
Orange flavored liqueur, almost identical to Curacao.
VAN der HUM
Tangerine flavored African liqueur.
VERMOUTH
Aromatic aperitif wine (both dry and sweet). Also know as a fortified wine as it is made by adding a little brandy to provide a richer, fuller flavor. White - Delicate flavor, dry. Sometimes called French Vermouth. Italian - Sweet, with a red
color and a full herbal flavor. Medium-Dry - White, often called Bianco. All vermouths may be served alone, over ice with a twist of lemon, or in mixed drinks.
VERMOUTH
Aromatic aperitif wine (both dry and sweet). Also know as a fortified wine as it is made by adding a little brandy to provide a richer, fuller flavor. White - Delicate flavor, dry. Sometimes called French Vermouth. Italian - Sweet, with a red
color and a full herbal flavor. Medium-Dry - White, often called Bianco. All vermouths may be served alone, over ice with a twist of lemon, or in mixed drinks.
VODKA
A distilled potato liquor with a delicate flavor and almost no after-taste. Will readily mix with any other drink such as orange juice or ginger ale.
WHISKEY
Distilled liquor made from grains. There are many types of whiskey, all with their own flavor. Scotch is generally a blend of various whiskies varying among the different producers and is usually served straight. Irish Wiskies are generally
smoother in taste. Canadian whiskies make good mixers. Among the American whiskies there are Bourbon (distictive flavor, full style), Wild Turkey (served straight), and Tennesse (for those who appreciate good whiskey.)