Distilling Knowledge Liqueurs Flashcards
What is the origin of liqueurs?
Medicinal. First commercial was 1575 by Lucas Bols in Holland
What is the simplest way to think of a liqueur?
As a sweetened flavored spirit
What base can liqueurs be built on?
Brandy, rum, whisky
When does sweetening normally take place?
After the spirit has been flavored and reduced in strength. Sugar can be difficult to dissolve in high alcohol and can precipitate out as crystals.
What sweetening agents can be used?
Sucrose- gives greater viscosity
High-fructose corn syrup
Rectified grapemust
Honey
What process is necessary in the production of cream liqueurs?
First an emulsifier is used. Typically sodium caseinate
Second is ‘homogenisation’ this invloves heating the liquid to 55C at a pressure equal to 300x atmospheric pressure
What are the EU requirements for liqueurs?
Min sugar of 100g/L minimum 15% abv. Flavors can be natural or nature identical
What is the min sugar of ‘creme de’ liqueurs in the EU?
250g/L
What is the min sugar of liqueurs labelled ‘creme de cassis’ in the EU?
400g/L
How do you make a cream liqueur?
The cream sugar and alcohol are added to a solution of sodium caseinate. This is then homogenised. This last process is repeated and the mixture is cooled, colored, and flavored.
How many distillates are used in benedictine?
4 distillates are made by macerating and then distilling the botanicals to liberate their essential oils.
What raw material is used in Sambuca?
Elderberries, anise and other herbs
How is benedictine assembled?
Each distillate is aged separately before blending then colored and sweetened. The blend is left to marry for 4 months prior to release
What is the blend of Drambuie?
whisky
herbs
spices
heather honey
What is the blend for Glayva
whisky
Mediterranean tangerines
herbs
heather honey
Where did fruit based liqueurs begin and when
Holland in the 17th century
Describe Curacao
This is an island in the Caribbean where liqueur is made from bitter orange peel and other citrus fruits, blossoms, leaves and roots which is then redistilled and blended with spirit.
What is triple sec?
A distilled Curacao
What is Cointreau?
this is also a distilled Curacao but it is mixed with a bitter orange as well
What is the most complex orange based liqueur and describe it?
Grand Marnier
Dried bitter-orange peel is macerated in HRS and then distilled. This distillate is then blended with Cognac and other ingredients, sweetened and left to marry.
What is the most globally successful liqueur brand?
Southern Comfort. Flavored with peach and orange
Name and describe the history of a caraway based liqueur.
Kummel. Made by Lucas Bols in 1575 is one of the oldest liqueurs discovered by Peter the Great and the recipe was taken back to Russia
