The traditional South African cream liqueur alcohol.
Firstly, what is a cream liqueur alcohol? It’s fairly straightforward. A cream liqueur alcohol (do not confuse this with a crème liqueur) is a liqueur that includes cream from dairy and is generally a flavourful liquor in its key ingredients.
Wait a moment; we used two words in the last paragraph that sound unnervingly similar.
The words “liquor” and “liqueur” are so similar, in fact, that it is easy to confuse the two. So, do you want to know the difference? This will make for excellent conversation around the dinner table whilst sipping a glass of Tant’ Sannie se melktert cream liqueur. OK, so both are distilled spirits that contain alcohol and are crucial ingredients when mixing cocktails, the liquids are not the same, and the terms are not interchangeable. Following so far?
Generally speaking, liquor isn’t sweet, while liqueurs are. However, many liquors are available in flavoured forms, which sometimes adds to the already confusing differences between the two. To help identify the two in your mind: Liquors are the basis of a drink, while people mainly use liqueurs as flavouring agents in mixed drinks. Although, many choose to enjoy them on their own too.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the world of cream liqueur alcohol and the differences between liquor and liqueur.
Liquor
Liquor, also known as spirits, is an alcoholic beverage made of grains or other fermented plants, transforming them into a potent drink. Though a few others fall into this category, we generally categorise the following six types of distilled spirits as liquors: brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey.
The distillation process, which occurs after fermenting, separates the water from the alcohol. This process increases the alcohol content of liquor to about 20% alcohol by volume (ABV). Yes, that’s what that means – if you’ve ever spotted it on the bottle of your favourite cream liqueur alcohol. Brandy, rum, tequila, and vodka are generally 40% ABV, while whiskey usually ranges from 40 – 55% ABV.
An easy way to remember what liquor is: it is the base of cocktails and ‘mixed drinks’, and people very often enjoy it on the rocks or neat. Think gin and tonic, scotch on the rocks, rum and Coke, and the famous and favourite Martini, Manhattan, and The Old-fashioned.
What’s a shot? Usual, a tiny glass of straight liquor. Here’s a fun fact: When we add liqueurs and other mixers to these popular party drinks, they are technically considered a shooter. We’ve got one for you to try. Keep reading to find out.
Liqueur
Technically, liqueurs are liquor because they are distilled spirits. OK, so don’t let us lose you here. Keep reading; I promise you’ll learn something new. The general difference is that liqueurs are sweetened spirits with various flavours, oils, and extracts added; rum, whiskey, brandy, and other liquors can serve as a base spirit for liqueurs.
In the past, we referred to liqueurs as cordials, and many have a history that stretches back centuries because people often used them medicinally. For example, popular herbal liqueurs were originally created as remedies for various ailments, often by monks, believe it or not! They used it purely for medicinal purposes (wink wink).
The alcohol content of liqueurs tends to be lower than liquors because of the additives, but this is not always the case. They range from a low 15% ABV (30 proof) to a strong 55% ABV (110 proof), so the potency levels are not a distinguishing factor.
Today, we use Liqueurs and cream liqueur alcohol in a wide variety of creative and legendary cocktails. They are the ingredients that usually make the drink extra special. People also them neat, chilled, or on the rocks.
Liqueur Varieties
Liqueurs have a wide range of flavours, from coffee to almond to orange. Cream liqueur alcohol, which is sweeter, usually has a lower ABV or alcohol content. Tant’ Sannie se Melktert liqueur is a beautiful example of a cream liqueur, making it a flavourful addition to various recipes. It’s also genuinely delicious when sipped as a nightcap or in a warming cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
Tant Sannie’s cream liqueur alcohol B-52 Cocktail Shooter – it’s a party starter!
Ingredients
1. 15ml coffee liqueur
2. 15ml Tant Sannie se Melktert liqueur
3. 15ml orange liqueur like Butlers Triple Sec
Method
Pour the three drinks into a chilled shot glass with the coffee liqueur first, followed by the Tant Sannie se Melktert liqueur and finally, the orange liqueur. A good tip is slowly pouring the liquid on the back of a spoon for perfect layering.
