Liqueurs are not simply alcoholic drinks with a touch of different flavours. They have a rich history, and you can use liqueurs for your cocktails. They have a mix of different artificial and natural ingredients like nuts and fruits. So, let us explore the history of liqueurs.
Appearance of the first liqueurs
It is believed that liqueurs originated from some herbal medications. You could notice the liqueur recipes in Greek scrolls and Egyptian tombs. During the 13th century, monks popularised the liqueurs, but the recipes were still a secret. A French herbal liqueur, Chartreuse available in yellow and green versions, also has a secret formula. However, it has more than 130 flowers and herbs in the formula.
While making the liqueur, every monk is assigned to deal with only a part of the ingredient list.
The recent chemical tests revealed that the older version of the beverage consists of fruits and rice. Honey is also added to bring flavour to the drink. These ingredients undergo fermentation before producing the beverage. Experts recovered the oldest beverage from pottery in China.
Over time, the meaning of the term ‘liqueur’ has undergone transformation. Until the 18th century, liqueur was considered a luxury drink. Only wealthy people and nobles drank them to show their status. Later, it led to the emergence of some famous liquor brands in the modern age. After the 20th century, the liqueur production process was streamlined due to industrialisation. These drinks have become part of celebrations in many cultures. During that period, blue curacao or bright-coloured liqueurs gained popularity.
With the developed cocktail culture, spirited drinks and liqueurs were used not just as medicinal remedies. They have become staple drinks in the bar to give the best experience to customers.
Adding different flavours to liqueurs
With the opening of traditions, liqueur makers could easily access different ingredients and spices. They tried to make liqueurs more flavourful by incorporating ingredients like:
- Chocolate
- Ginger
- Orange
Several households had started their own recipes and distilleries. Consumers also started drinking liqueurs as a digestive aid. After the wedding of Henry II and Catherine De Medici, there was a trend of drinking liqueurs in the French Court.
Liqueur production: know about different methods
There are different techniques used for extracting the desired flavours to produce liqueurs. The maceration process is like brewing tea. It involves steeping flavouring agents or fruits in alcoholic spirits. It is a slow process, and some materials can lose some characteristics.
Another method for liqueur production is brewing, which uses plant-based flavourings. Spirit-soaked flavourings can be distilled, while the distillate is infused with percolated spirits.
The most popular method is distillation, which is best for less heat-sensitive materials. It helps with the production of heavily flavoured distillate.
Liqueur makers choose these techniques to produce the beverage.
So, liqueurs have a long history, and prominent brands have innovated diverse formulas for their drinks. Triple Sec is a popular liqueur with a sweet taste and notes of oranges.
