While visiting at a bar in weekend, you might get confused about two words, “Liquor” and “Liqueur”. Fact is, both of them are common in bars and this lead to more confusion for the consumers and the bartenders. So, let’s break all the confusions by discussing all the difference between liquor and liqueur.
Liquor
Liquor is a type of alcohol which is produced by fermentation of grains or plants. Though the process for producing different types of liquors are different from one another.
Some examples of liquors are gin, vodka, rum and tequila. Liquors contain 40-55 percent of alcohol but most common is around 40%. It also contains less amount of sugar.
There are seven types of liquors. They are gin, tequila, vodka, rum, whiskey, mezcal and brandy. All of them taste like no sugar though sugar is used in fermentation process. Now a days, there are some flavored liquors but they are not sweet too.
Liqueur
Liqueur pronounced as “Lick-keewr” or “Lick-oor” is a type of alcohol which is also produced by fermentation of grains or plants and then sugars or flavors are added into it.
It contains 10% to 15% of alcohol. Liqueurs are usually produced from liquors by adding sugar or flavors. So liqueur is usually sweeter than liquor. Different types and flavors of liqueurs like orange, grape or almond are available in the shops.
One of the popular orange liqueur is Grand Marnier. In hot tea it is used in the cocktails like Whisky Daisy and as a nightcap. Some other common liqueurs are Amaretto, Cointreau, Crème de menthe, Chambord, Irish cream, Crème de cassis, Kahlua etc.
Related: Difference Between Latte and Cappuccino [With Table].
Difference between liquor and liqueur
| Liquor | Liqueur |
| Type of alcohol which is produced by fermentation of grains or plants. | Type of alcohol which is produced by fermentation of grains or plants and then sugars or flavors are added into it. |
| Contains 40-55% alcohol. | Contains 10-15% alcohol. |
| It is the base of cocktails. | It is added with liquor while drinking and technically known as shooter. |
| Normally sugar is not added. | Sugar is added. |
| Flavor is not also added usually though now a days there are some flavored liquors. | There are lot of varieties in liqueurs. |
| Rum, gin, vodka are some examples of liquors | Grand Marnier, Irish Cream, Cointreau, Crème de cassis etc. are some examples of liqueurs. |
Related: Difference between Louis Vuitton and Louboutin [With Table].
Conclusion
We all become ambiguous in case of differentiating between liquor and liqueur. But after going through this article, you have surely got the idea of differences between liquor and liqueur.
The FAQs about Liquor vs Liqueur
If you have any query you can check these questions and answers section. Give feedback at the comment section.
What kind of alcohol is a liqueur?
Liqueur is basically a type of alcohol which is produced by adding sugars or flavors into liquor.
Can you get drunk off liqueur?
As liqueur has 10-15% of alcohol, so it has less possibility to get drunk off liqueur.
Is Baileys a girly drink?
Yes, Baileys is basically produced for women.
What are the 7 spirits of alcohol?
7 types of liquors are:
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- Vodka.
- Gin.
- Tequila.
- Rum.
- Whiskey.
- Mezcal.
- Brandy.
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What drink is 100 percent alcohol?
An alcohol from Poland named Spirytus Rektyfikowany is the 100% alcohol.
What is a very strong liquor?
With 96% ABV, Spirytus Rektyfikowany is the strongest liquor.