Liqueur Liqueur A liqueur (, ) is an alcoholic beverage flavored variously by fruit, herb, spices, flowers, nuts or cream combined with distilled spirit. Often served with or after dessert, they are typically heavily sweetened and un-aged beyond a resting period during production, when necessary, for their flavors to mingle. Liqueurs are historical descendants of herbal medicines. They were made in Italy as early as the 13th century, often prepared by monks, as in Chartreuse). Today they are produced the world over, commonly served straight, over ice, with coffee, in cocktails, and used in cooking. In some areas of the United
Liqueur States and Canada liqueurs are also referred to as cordials or schnapps, though the terms refer to different beverages elsewhere. The French word "liqueur" is derived from the Latin "liquifacere", which means "to dissolve". In some parts of the United States and Canada, liqueurs may be referred to as cordials, or schnapps. This can cause confusion as in the United Kingdom a cordial would refer to a non-alcoholic concentrated fruit syrup, typically diluted to taste and consumed as a non-carbonated soft drink. Schnapps, on the other hand, can refer to any distilled beverage in Germany and aquavit in Scandinavian countries.