Crème de menthe is a liqueur that is flavored with mint (menthe). Although it is typically bright green, it also comes in a colorless (white) version. While traditional technique includes steeping dried mint leaves in alcohol, some styles are also made with mint extract and alcohol.
The green color may be imparted by the addition of mint leaves or with artificial coloring. French pharmacist Emile Giffard is often cited as the inventor of crème de menthe. In 1885, he allegedly first served his creation to the guests at the Grand Hotel in Angers.
Calvados is a brandy distilled from apple cider or a combination of apples and pears. The fermented juice is usually double distilled to create the base of the brandy, which is then aged, and finally blended.
The production of Calvados is strictly regulated, and final products are classified according to the length of maturation, with two years being the minimum aging period. The appellation Calvados is divided into three sub-regions that slightly differ in the base ingredient, terroir, and the distillation process.
This classic triple sec was created by the Cointreau brothers, who managed to distill sweet and bitter orange peels to create a slightly sweet, fresh liqueur with incredibly concentrated flavor. The brand was first registered as triple sec in 1885, and since then it has remained one of the best-selling, premium options. Cointreau is mainly used as the essential ingredient in various cocktails such as the classics Sidecar, Margarita, or Cosmopolitan.
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