TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Liqueur Types in the World
Umeshu is a Japanese liqueur made by macerating sugar and ume plums (Prunus mume) in alcohol. It is usually made with rock sugar and ripe or green ume plums, while the base is generally made with shōchū, though other neutral spirits can also be used.
The result is a bittersweet liqueur with a fruity aroma. Apart from the classic version, umeshu comes in a variety of styles that may include other sweeteners such as honey or black sugar, while some add additional flavorings. Umeshu can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or diluted with water, tea, or soda.
VARIATIONS OF Umeshu
THE BEST Umeshu Fruit Liqueurs
Hailing from South Africa, this cream liqueur is produced with a base spirit that is distilled from carefully selected and hand-picked fruits of African marula, which is also known as elephant tree. The base is aged and then combined with sugar and cream to create a rich liqueur that is characterized by its slight caramel flavor and underlying notes of vanilla and spices.
Since marula fruit is a treat for elephants, the brand has turned them into a trademark, and actively work on their protection. Amarula is best served well-chilled, preferably over ice, but it also blends well into cocktails, especially those based on whiskey or vodka.
Averna is a popular Italian bitter digestif that was named after its inventor Salvatore Averna who created it in 1868. Some sources state that the recipe was handed to the Avernas by a monk of the local San Spirito monastery. The exact ingredient list remains the Averna family secret, but this bittersweet liqueur is said to be made with more than 60 different herbs, roots, pomegranate, and the essential oils of bitter Sicilian lemons.
Though Averna is typically enjoyed on its own, served on the rocks or neat, it can also be used for various cocktails.
Chios Mastiha is a Greek liqueur that is made with Masticha Chiou—a resinous sap of the Schinias tree. Although Schinias is found in other Mediterranean countries, the plant only produces resin on Chios, presumably because of the island’s unique microclimate.
The liqueur is made by macerating Chios mastic or Chios mastic oil in grain spirit or distilling it with alcohol. The combination is then diluted with water and sweetened before it is bottled. Chios Mastiha must have a minimum of 15% ABV. The process results in a clear and subtly sweet spirit with fresh notes of pine, anise, herbs, and citrus fruit.
Hailing from Saronno, this renowned amaretto brand is produced with a base spirit, apricot kernel oil, burnt sugar, and 17 different herbs, fruits, and spices. The brand claimed the invention of the original amaretto in the 16th century, and throughout history, its production has remained in the hands of Reina family. Disaronno is distinguished for its use of apricot kernel oil, which provides it with a distinctive combination of almond and apricot flavors.
Because of its sweetness and smooth texture, it can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but it can also work well in a variety of cocktails and long drinks.
Hailing from Gdańsk, this herbal liqueur is easily distinguished by the flakes of real gold. According to the written records, it first appeared in 1598, and it was an invention of a Dutch Ambrose Vermollen who created a recipe that was based on a secret combination of 20 different herbs and roots.
Considered as one of the oldest liqueurs in the world, Goldwasser comes at 40% ABV and displays both sweet and spicy cinnamon aromas, with underlying notes of licorice and mint. Though its history is closely intertwined with Poland, following the political turmoil and the Second World War Goldwasser is now produced in Germany, but it remains a symbol of the city of Gdańsk.
Rakomelo is a Cretan drink that combines honey and tsikoudia, a clear Cretan spirit that is sometimes referred to as raki, though it is not anise-flavored like the namesake Turkish spirit. The drink is often flavored with herbs and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves.
It is frequently prepared at home by combining warm spirit and honey, but commercially produced versions are also available. Rakomelo is sometimes served warm, usually as a soothing winter drink or a health remedy, while the well-chilled variety is mainly enjoyed neat or with ice, preferably as an aperitif or a digestif.
Teranino is a unique Croatian liqueur produced with fruit or pomace brandy and red wine made from Teran variety—hence the name. This liqueur is usually sweetened and flavored with various botanicals such as cinnamon, cloves, star anise, lemon, vanilla, or fennel.
The result is a ruby red liqueur with an earthy and herbaceous character, fruity notes, and sweet, spicy aromas. Teranino is sweet and typically has between 15 to 20% ABV. It is best to serve it chilled and enjoy it as an aperitif or a digestif. Teranino can be served neat or on the rocks.
This acclaimed cream liqueur is produced with a combination of neutral alcohol, triple distilled Irish whiskey, and cream, which is supplied by small, local Irish family farms. The base of the liqueur is additionally enriched with vanilla, cocoa, and caramel, to create the distinctive toffee flavor.
The drink was invented in Dublin, in the 1970s and it still remains an entirely Irish product and one of the most prominent Irish brands. Baileys is usually served neat, over ice, but it also perfectly blends in coffee or hot chocolate, or in a wide array of cream-based cocktails.
This classic liqueur is made with different combinations of neutral spirits, caramel, sweet or bitter almonds, various herbs, spices, and occasionally apricot kernel oil. Though its name stems from the Italian amaro, meaning bitter, amaretto is characterized by its sweet almond flavor and hints of bitter notes.
It can be served neat, over ice, with lemon juice or coffee. Amaretto is often used in the preparation of various desserts, while the most popular amaretto-based cocktails include Godfather, Amaretto sour, Almond kiss, and Nutcracker Martini.
VARIATIONS OF Amaretto
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Liqueur Producers in the World
Torres Brandy is a renowned Spanish producer of high-quality brandies and spirits, based in Vilafranca del Penedès, Barcelona. The brand is part of the Torres family legacy, which has been dedicated to winemaking and distillation for generations since 1928.
They are recognized for blending tradition with innovation, producing premium spirits crafted from select white wines and aged meticulously in oak barrels. Their product portfolio includes various expressions of brandy, such as Torres 10, Torres 15, Torres 20, and Jaime I, each representing distinct levels of aging and complexity.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2019
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Miguel Torres Spirits
Ferrand Cognac is a prestigious and renowned producer of high-quality cognac, based in the heart of the Cognac region in France. Founded in 1989 by Alexandre Gabriel, Ferrand is dedicated to producing premium, artisanal cognac using traditional methods and the finest ingredients.
The brand is known for its focus on craftsmanship, blending heritage with innovation, creating some of the most refined and well-respected cognacs in the world. Ferrand Cognac uses grapes from the renowned Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus, the top-rated regions in Cognac production.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
The Cognac Masters - Gold
2022
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy
2014
BEST Ferrand Cognac Spirits
Distilleria Sibona is one of the oldest distilleries in the Piedmont region, located in the heart of Roero. It is renowned for its artisanal production of grappa, utilizing fresh pomace from prestigious local wineries. Sibona holds a unique historical distillation license and prides itself on its deep connection to traditional methods while incorporating modern techniques to ensure high-quality products.
Their grappa is aged in various types of barrels, including those used for sherry, port, and whiskey, enhancing the flavor profile and creating distinctive spirits.
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2020
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2022, 2021, 2019
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Distilleria Sibona Spirits
ABK6 Cognac is a prestigious brand created in 2005 by Francis Abécassis. The name "ABK6" is a condensed version of the family name and represents the fusion of tradition and modernity. The brand focuses on producing Single Estate Cognac, meaning the entire process, from vineyard cultivation to bottling, is handled on their own estate.
This ensures a unique and high-quality product that reflects the expertise of their Master Blender. ABK6's offerings include a wide range of cognacs, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail and respect for tradition.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2021, 2019
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2020, 2019
BEST ABK6 Cognac Spirits
Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is celebrated as the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States, with a rich history of over 200 years. Founded by Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr. and later expanded under George T.
Stagg, the distillery has survived challenges such as floods, fires, and Prohibition, during which it produced whiskey for medicinal purposes. Today, it is known for its wide range of highly acclaimed bourbons and whiskeys, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, and the Pappy Van Winkle line.
Buffalo Trace has garnered numerous awards, emphasizing its commitment to quality and innovation in whiskey production.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST Buffalo Trace Distillery Spirits
Aura Distillery, located in Buzet, Istria, Croatia, is a family-run business specializing in the production of spirits, liqueurs, jams, and gins made from wild herbs and fruits harvested in unspoiled nature. Their products are entirely natural, with no additives, artificial flavors, or colorings.
The distillery offers a diverse range of 25 types of brandies and liqueurs, four types of gin, and nine types of jams, alongside products like extra virgin olive oil and elderflower vinegar. Their flagship product, Teranino, is a liqueur made from Teran red wine and ten spices, renowned for winning numerous gold medals at prestigious global competitions.
AWARDS
European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024, 2023
European Spirits Challenge - Silver
2024
London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Aura Destillery Spirits
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
The Liqueur Masters - Gold
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
BEST Ancho Reyes Liqueurs
Hotel Chocolat is a British chocolatier and cocoa grower, headquartered in London. The company was founded by Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris in 2004. Hotel Chocolat owns a cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia, allowing them to control the entire production process from bean to bar.
They operate a variety of retail locations across the UK and have an international presence with stores in the United States and Japan.
AWARDS
The Liqueur Masters - Gold
2023
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2016, 2015, 2011
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009
BEST Hotel Chocolat Desserts
Sorel Liqueur is a modern interpretation of a traditional Caribbean beverage known as "sorrel," which has its roots in West African and Caribbean cultures. Crafted in Brooklyn, New York, Sorel Liqueur blends Moroccan hibiscus with Brazilian clove, Indonesian cassia, Nigerian ginger, and Indonesian nutmeg, resulting in a vibrant red liqueur with a unique flavor profile.
This contemporary take on a classic drink pays homage to its rich heritage while offering a fresh experience for modern palates.
AWARDS
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
The Liqueur Masters - Gold
2022
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2022
BEST Jack From Liqueurs
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022, 2021
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2021, 2020
BEST Hombo Shuzo Liqueurs
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Liqueurs in the World
Sorel Liqueur is a vibrant red liqueur that offers a modern twist on a Caribbean classic. Crafted in Brooklyn, it blends Moroccan hibiscus with Brazilian clove, Indonesian cassia, Nigerian ginger, and Indonesian nutmeg, resulting in a unique flavor profile that balances floral, spicy, and earthy notes.
This artisanal liqueur pays homage to the traditional "sorrel" beverage, a staple across the African diaspora, while introducing a contemporary interpretation that appeals to modern palates.
AWARDS
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
The Liqueur Masters - Gold
2022
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2022
Tobago Gold is a premium chocolate rum cream liqueur that masterfully blends the finest Caribbean cocoa, spices, and rum to deliver a smooth and flavorful taste of the Caribbean. The liqueur is crafted using traditional Caribbean cocoa and spice cultivation methods, drawing on knowledge and experience dating back to the Maya and Inca civilizations.
The name "cocoa" translates to "Food for the Gods" and is known for its health benefits due to its rich antioxidant content. Tobago Gold Chocolate Rum Cream is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways: neat, in cocktails, as a dessert ingredient, or to add to cooking and baking.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
The DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting - Gold
2023
European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
The Liqueur Masters - Gold
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023, 2022, 2021
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2021
Aura Teranino is a renowned red wine liqueur produced by Aura Distillery in Istria, Croatia. Crafted from the indigenous Teran grape variety, this liqueur is infused with a blend of ten aromatic spices, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile.
It boasts a deep ruby-red color and offers enticing aromas of ripe cherries, milk chocolate, and cinnamon. On the palate, it is sweet and layered, with a lingering aftertaste reminiscent of cherry marmalade. With an alcohol content of 15.86%, Aura Teranino is best enjoyed chilled, either neat or over ice, and pairs well with desserts or as a standalone indulgence.
AWARDS
European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024, 2023
London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
Bartender Spirits Awards - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2022, 2021
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Liqueur Gold Trophy
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Liqueur Gold Trophy
2023
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Liqueurs in the World” list until March 05, 2025, 4,833 ratings were recorded, of which 3,753 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.