French Spirits & Liqueurs

When you think of French spirits, the iconic Cognac may come to mind. France is best known for it in the spirit world, but if you go deeper you'll notice that France produces some of the most unique and interesting liqueurs. An example is The herbaceous Chartreuse or the essential Cointreau. You also have the classic St Germain Elderflower. Lastly, in the brandy and cognac category, you have Calvados and Armagnac, respectively. There are many delicious French spirits, but these are the ones I’m going to talk about in more detail and give you some ideas for some delightful cocktails for your next dinner party, gathering with friends, or a date night in. 

France is regarded for its quality, mystery, and reverence, especially when it comes to food and drink. Enter Chartreuse, the spirit that could not be more enigmatic, boasting 130 different herbs and botanicals. Chartreuse is made by two monks in the village of Voiron, in Southwestern France. It’s become incredibly difficult to get Chartreuse in the U.S. now. In terms of taste, it is somewhat sweet but mostly herbaceous. You’ll notice predominant flavors of honey, anise, and fresh herbs. There are a few classic cocktails that have Chartreuse, my absolute favorite is The Last Word. To learn about the Last Word cocktail, see HERE. 

Cointreau is an essential orange liqueur because it is often used in a small amount, think .25 oz to .5 oz in many different cocktails. Its origin can be traced back to 1849, and while Cointreau is often not the star of the show in cocktails, its appearance cannot be overstated. A Margarita, Cosmopolitan, or Sidecar would not be what it is without the balancing act Cointreau plays. Cointreau also pairs well with agave-based spirits as well as florals such as Elderflower. See a few of my favorite classic Cointreau cocktails, HERE. 

Elderflower is one of the most versatile liqueurs a bartender can have in their repertoire. This floral spirit is the perfect addition for fresh cocktails at your next spring get-together or for a casual game night with friends. St Germain does Elderflower Liqueur best. Each fragrant bottle contains up to a thousand fresh elderflowers! As this beauty deserves to be the star of the show, Elderflower is often served as a spritz, which allows you to fully taste the spirit itself. To see my favorite Elderflower cocktail, have a peak HERE. 

Think of apple orchards that come alive in September in the Normandy region of France, and voila - you have the warming Calvados. Apple brandy is made from fermented cider and, like cognac, has different vintages based on its aging and appellation. I love Calvados because of their ability to be delicious all on their own, as well as the rich body it provides to cocktails. It can hold its own as a base spirit but is also great as an accouterment to other spirits. To see how you can enjoy the classic sidecar at your next special event, go HERE

Armagnac - double-distilled, obscure, reverent. This robust and full-bodied brandy needs no introduction. Produced in small villages outside of Bordeaux, its tasting profile includes oak, leather, and the essence of over ten different grape varieties. I started experimenting with Armagnac during my time at The Berry & Rye, which is arguably the best cocktail bar in Omaha, NE. With some help from the GM, I came up with my first Armagnac cocktail, the Moulin Booze. This cocktail is unique, boozy, and full of flavor. To see the full story and recipe, have a look HERE. 

France has produced some of my favorite liqueurs and continues to delight and inspire us bartenders in making craft cocktails. Having some of these liqueurs behind your at-home bar is sure to impress when friends come around for cocktail hour.