iqueurs and cordials are definitely the backbone of our program ,” says Sophie Burton , beverage director of JoJo ’ s Beloved Cocktail Lounge in Atlanta . “ Obviously they are used in conjunction with other spirits , but I ' d say that each of our house cocktails and most of our called-for classics incorporate some type of cordial or liqueur .”
For certain , mixologists aren ’ t shy about sharing their love for liqueurs . Consumption of cordials and liqueurs increased 3.1 % in 2020 , according to the Beverage Information Group ’ s 2021 Liquor Handbook ( a sister brand of Beverage Dynamics ), reaching 26.3 million 9-liter cases in the U . S .
That ’ s a slight improvement on the category ’ s 2.7 % rise in 2019 . It ’ s even more impressive when you consider that the on-premise sector , which is typically where cordials and liqueurs shine , was shuttered or restricted for much of 2020 due to the pandemic .
“ If bitters are the bartender ' s spice rack , liqueurs and cordials are the garden and the bakery , bringing endless availability of fruits and herbs , bitters and sweets to the bartender ' s cache and collection ,” says Blake Nightingale , general manager of Minus5 ° Ice Bar and 1923 Prohibition Bar at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas . Cordials and liqueurs are widely popular “ as both star ingredients and purposeful additives to many concoctions of our cocktail programs .”
His two bar concepts stock upwards of 40 different liqueurs and cordials , Nightingale says . “ Liqueurs are so various and multi-faceted ; we can use them in various ways to achieve a targeted cocktail profile and presentation .”
For Minus5 , a bar attraction made of ice , the drinks play a huge part in the immersive experience , he notes . “ The right liqueurs can push the flavor profiles and even colors of a cocktail to contribute to that experience .”
At 1923 Prohibition Bar , which is a modern tribute to Prohibition and the speakeasy genre of bars , “ our cocktail program pays respect to a lot of traditional liqueurs ,” Nightingale says . That includes the same backbar staples used by barkeeps in the roaring ‘ 20s , “ but also introduces some modern flare with newer liqueurs and classic cocktail variations .”
What ’ s more , Nightingale says , “ We are seeing more interest in some brands and their history coming from our post-lockdown guests , which I believe stems from the necessity of at-home bar creativity brought on during lockdown , and the plethora of self-made connoisseurs as result .”
BRAND RECEPTION Sazerac ’ s cinnamon-flavored Fireball is the leading brand , increasing 11 % to just under 6.3 million cases in 2020 , according to the Liquor Handbook . But cream liqueur brand RumChata was the fastest-growing liqueur , up nearly 16 % to reach 550,000 cases . The brand ’ s parent company , Agave Loco , was acquired by E & J Gallo Winery this past April .
JoJo ’ s Beloved Cocktail Lounge probably carries about three dozen individual different types of cordials , liqueurs , amari and bitters , Burton says . “ Grand Marnier is always popular , and the growth in the bitter and amaro category has been absolutely tremendous .”
Chartreuse remains popular , and guests have been requesting ginger liqueurs more often , she notes . “ At JoJo ' s , we use a ton of Galliano , Drangoncello , Amaretto , Midori and Blue Curaçao .”
New York rooftop bar Somewhere in Nolita carries a variety of flavored liqueurs from Giffard , as well as some stand-alone favorites such as Italius , Chinola , Ume plum liqueur
The Pineapple Over The Sea cocktail at New York rooftop lounge uses Giffard pineapple liqueur for additional pineapple flavor .
The Saggitarian Sour at JoJo ’ s Beloved Cocktail Lounge in Atlanta combines Midori melon liqueur , singani , Luxardo Bitter Bianco , lemon juice , simple syrup and cocktail foam .
and Luxardo , says head bartender Greg Kong . “ Cordials and liqueurs are great ways to add additional flavors to a cocktail as supporting flavors ,” he notes .
Liqueurs on the cocktail menus at Minus5 ° Ice Bar and 1923 Prohibition Bar include Amaro Nonino ; Ferrand Dry Curaçao ; Benedictine ; Fernet Branca ; Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur ; St . Germain ; Cointreau ; Grand Marnier and Luxardo . Nightingale also enjoys the liqueurs produced by Combier and Tempus Fugit Spirits . “ I am a huge fan of their cremes and vermouths and bitter aperitivo .”
CORDIAL COCKTAILS One lasting trend is the renaissance that Aperol — the bitter orange liqueur owned
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