shop
youtube youtube youtube
border image border image border image border image border image border image border image border image border image border image border image border image
menu image home
Cocktail recipes cheats Bartender sponsors features Glasses Where to buy cocktail equipment and ingredients freestuff guide
menu image
 
home image
Drinks Guide
A-B
B-C
C
D-G
H-O
P-R
R-U
V-Z
Drinks Guide
image
image

Blue Curaçao

image
Curaçao liqueurs are traditionally made from the dried peel of the small bitter Curaçao orange, named after the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. As the island of Curaçao was formerly a Dutch colony, it supplied oranges to the liqueur makers of Holland but Curaçao liqueurs are now also produced from bitter oranges of other origins. Curaçao liqueurs can be clear, blue or orange. The colours are purely decorative, but the bitter orange flavours are very similar. De Kuyper Blue Curaçao is a vibrant electric blue with pronounced citrus aromas of orange marmalade and lime and has a fragrant bitter orange flavour with balanced sweetness. Although rarely consumed neat or over ice – it is the essential ingredient for many eye catching cocktail recipes.

De Kuyper Blue Curaçao is 20% ABV in the UK market.

Search for Blue Curaçao cocktails

image
image

Bourbon

image
Bourbon is an American type of whiskey. As specified by US trade law, it must be made from at least 51% corn or maize with the remainder consisting of wheat, malted barley or rye. Once distilled it is aged in new charred white oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. In this sense the production of Bourbon is very similar to Scotch or Irish whisk(e)y which are also aged in charred barrels. Traditionally Bourbon is made only in the state of Kentucky. Curiously when thinking about bourbon, many people think of Jack Daniels – however this is a Tennessee whiskey. The difference being that the newly made Tennessee whiskey is dripped through giant containers packed with sugar maple charcoal. This painstaking process takes 10 days and during this time the whiskey absorbs the essence of charcoal giving it a unique aroma and flavour.

Search for Bourbon cocktails

image
image

Three Barrels Brandy

image
Brandy is usually produced by distilling fermented grape juice - although it can be made from other fruits such as apples (known as Calvados) and plums (Slivovitz). However only if the fruit is distilled during production can a brandy made from fruit be officially classified as brandy (rather than a liqueur).

The name brandy is thought to originate from Northern Europe where "brand" means to burn. This is a reference to the heat used in the distillation process. To produce traditional brandy, the grapes are fermented. The wine which results from this fermentation is then distilled. As it leaves the still, the brandy liquid is still colourless - ageing in wooden casks allows the brandy to mature and achieve its golden colour.

In-the-spirit recommends Three Barrels Brandy. Three Barrels is the result of distilling mainly white wines from the most well known French wine regions: Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne. After years of careful ageing in French Limousin oak, the Three Barrels' cellar master selects the best brandies to blend together for the distinctive superior taste unique to Three Barrels.

Search for Brandy cocktails

image
image

Butterscotch Caramel

image
De Kuyper’s Butterscotch Caramel liqueur captures the smooth rich taste and aroma of mouth watering butterscotch. A sweet tasting caramel liqueur which can be enjoyed neat and chilled, on the rocks or drizzled over desserts like vanilla ice cream or as a great cocktail ingredient.

De Kuyper Butterscotch Caramel is 15% ABV

Search for Butterscotch Caramel cocktails

image
image

Campari

image
Campari is a bright red drink, traditionally drunk as an aperitif. It is made using 68 different herbs and spices, and the bitter peel of citrus fruits. It has an intensely bitter-sweet flavour.

Search for Campari cocktails

image
image

Champagne

image
Only sparkling wine made in the region of Champagne in France can be called Champagne. The grapes are harvested and yeast is added to the grape juice to induce fermentation. Sugar and yeast are then added to the wine a second time before bottling, which allows a second fermentation to occur in the bottle. It is this second fermentation which produces the characteristic bubbles, and the remaining yeast gives Champagne its unique bready flavour.

Search for Champagne cocktails

image
image

Cherry Brandy

image
De Kuyper Cherry Brandy is made using dark ripe cherries, which are sliced and macerated in pure neutral spirit and then subtly enhanced with spices such as cinnamon and cloves before being blended with fine brandy. The incomparable almondy flavour of De Kuyper Cherry Brandy is achieved by including the crushed cherry kernels for that smooth, fruity and warming flavour of this world famous liqueur.

De Kuyper Cherry Brandy is 24% ABV.

Search for Cherry Brandy cocktails

image
image

Cognac

image
The Cognac region lies in the two départements of Charente and Charente-Maritime and is the third largest vineyard in France. A genuine Cognac can only come from this designated region of France and the best Cognac is made with grapes coming from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions in the area where the soil is high in chalk content - making it ideal for Cognac production. Key grape varieties used to produce Cognac are Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard. Grapes are pressed and then double distilled in a traditional copper Charentais pot still. After the heart of the spirit (or best part) is extracted after distillation, the resulting liquid is fairly clear. The spirit then matures in traditional oak barrels made with Limousin oak and this maturation gives Cognac its rich colour and flavour. During this ageing process, a certain percentage of the liquid evaporates naturally and is known as 'the angel's share'. Authorities guarantee the age of a Cognac for the first 6 years of its 'life' and these are defined as: VS or *** is a minimum of 2 years old, VSOP is a minimum of 4 years old and XO is a minimum of 6 years old.

The house of Rémy Martin has been at the heart of spirit making in the Cognac region since 1724. In-the-spirit recommends Rémy Martin VSOP - regarded as the world's favourite VSOP Cognac - as it is a rich and vibrant gold colour with oaky aromas, hints of vanilla and liquorice, a silky texture and a perfectly balanced blend of ripeness and smoothness. Delicious to enjoy on its own, Rémy Martin VSOP also brings its rich, smooth flavour to many classic cocktails such as the classic Sidecar.

Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac is 40% ABV.

Search for Cognac cocktails

image
 
 
   
 
imageMore... More... image
 
base left base menu base right


inthespirit - the definitive guide to cocktails, cocktail making, ideas, videos, bartender hints and tips, competitions and cocktail recipes

For the facts about alcohol

drinkaware
Privacy Policy

valid XHTML, valid CSS and design by madeyoulook.co.uk