10 local liqueurs to sip this fall

Liqueurs are often thought of as a side character, though they have a long history. At its most basic, a liqueur is a distilled spirit (neutral grain, rum, vodka, whisk[e]y, etc.) that has been sweetened and flavored (fruits, botanicals, nuts, herbs, creams, etc.) through extraction. Some well-known examples include Green Chartreuse (herbal), Aperol (fruity and botanical),  Bailey’s (Cream), and Sloe Gin (berry with Gin base). Here are 10 locally made liqueurs. (Note: A few are not available at local grocery stores, but you can find them at the distilleries.)

Gooey Butter Cake Liqueur – Old Monroe Distilling (Columbia, Illinois)

This ode to the classic St. Louis dessert lives up to the hype. It has prominent notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted butter, as well as a silky texture. Try it chilled, neat, or on the rocks. 37% ABV. $24.99

Pecan Pie Flavored Whiskey Liqueur – Old Monroe Distilling (Columbia, Illinois) 

Who doesn’t love pecan pie? Don’t let the term “whiskey” throw you off—this liqueur builds upon the vanilla, cinnamon, and baking spice notes of its grain-to-glass whiskey. By sweetening it and infusing pecans, Old Monroe has created a delectable libation that almost tricks the palate into believing you’re actually eating pie. Try it on the rocks, or add it to coffee or hot chocolate. 30% ABV. $24.99

The Big O Ginger Liqueur – Big O  (St. Louis)

Big O is one of the more well-known liqueurs in the St. Louis region. It’s made from chopped fresh ginger and various other all-natural ingredients. While there is a bit of sharpness from the fresh ginger, there are also hints of citrus and baking spice. These other flavor notes add to the complexity and give Big O a well-rounded and unique finish. Add this liqueur to margaritas, Moscow Mules, or Old-Fashioneds. 17% ABV. $39.99

Garden Amaro Herbal Liqueur – San Luigi Spirits (St. Louis)

This locally crafted herbal liqueur is inspired by the monastic medicinal tonics of Europe, with a decidedly local flare. Many of the ingredients are locally foraged or picked straight from the owner’s backyard garden, including green tomatoes and other herbs. Expect bright, herbaceous, and citrus-y notes. Try it on the rocks topped with soda, in a spritz, or just by itself. 45% ABV. $39.99

Banana Foster Rum Liqueur – Naked Spirits (St. Louis

Naked Spirits in Brentwood does a lot with rum. It uses a base spirit made from sugar that adds to the complexity of the spirit. The Banana Foster Rum, for instance, is creamy, with bright tropical banana notes that pair wonderfully in hot chocolate, a chocolate martini, or on the rocks. 35% ABV $25.99 at distillery only.

Sol Luna Coffee Whiskey Liqueur – Sol Luna (St. Louis)

Sol Luna Coffee Whiskey Liqueur is the brain child of award-winning barista/bartender Matt Foster. It’s the culmination of decades in two worlds that pair beautifully: cocktails and coffee. With the help of local distillery Switchgrass Spirits, Foster was able to create a delicious coffee liqueur with some serious versatility. Try it in an Espresso Martini, a Manhattan, or a Boulevardier. 25% ABV. $40.99

Paw Paw Liqueur – Samuel Berton Distilling (Labadie, Missouri)

Pawpaws are almost impossible to farm because they go bad so fast once picked, but their flavor profile is incredibly unique. It has tropical notes that vacillate between mango, banana, and pineapple. Try this liqueur in place of orange liqueur or triple sec in margaritas, or add it to your spritz to give it a tropical vibe. 20% ABV. $30 at distillery only.

Chocolate Cherry Bourbon Liqueur – Samuel Berton Distilling (Labadie, Missouri) 

This liqueur piggybacks on the inherent vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and richer baking spice notes found in bourbon. On top of that, it’s infused with cherries and dark chocolate for a rich, decadent profile. It’s great for an after-dinner dessert sip on the rocks or in hot chocolate. If you’re feeling adventurous, add it to your Old-Fashioned. 30% ABV. $35 at distillery only.

Cherry Vodka Liqueur – Samuel Berton Distilling (Labadie, Missouri)

Unlike its sibling, the Chocolate Cherry Bourbon Liqueur, this Cherry Vodka Liqueur is much brighter and refreshing without the richness of the bourbon base. Add this to some club soda with lime juice for a fun twist on a cherry limeade. 20% ABV. $30 at distillery only.

Vermont Night Liqueur – Square One Brewery and Distilling (Lafayette Square, Missouri)

Utilizing the JJ Neukomm Whiskey as the base, this “Christmas in a glass” is infused with citrus zest and vanilla beans, then sweetened with maple syrup. Try it with your hot apple cider, or add .25 ounce to your Manhattan or Whiskey Sour. 40% ABV. $40 at distillery only.

Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Liqueur

There are many different ways to make a liqueur, but for this recipe we wanted it to be as simple and accessible as possible. Plus, we strongly believe that if you’re looking for a particular flavor, there’s a well-made  tea for that. 

Ingredients:

• 80 Proof Vodka (We recommend Encrypted from 1220 Spirits)
• A container with a lid large enough to hold 40oz (We recommend these glass jars)
• Pumpkin Spice Tea (We recommend Big Heart Spicy Pumpkin)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Empty the bottle of vodka into the large glass jar.
2. Place five tea bags into the jar with the vodka. 
3. Put the lid on the container, and shake a bit to make sure the tea is submerged.
4. Let the container sit out for 2–3 hours. 
5. Meanwhile, in a pan on the stove, add the 2 cups of water, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1 cup white sugar.
6. Heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Try not to let it boil.
7. Let the syrup cool.
8. After 2-3 hours, open the container of vodka/tea, and remove the bags. (There may be particles, but you can strain them out later.)
9. Start by adding 1 cup of syrup to the jar. Then taste. Slowly add more syrup until it reaches your palate’s desired sweetness.
10. Enjoy this liqueur in your coffee, Espresso Martini, or on the rocks.