From A to Z here are some of the terms you will be interested in knowing. As more varieties and possibilities appear, the Editors will be updating this page and the site.
Abisante, anise flavored liqueur
Absinthe, also anise flavored liqueur
Advocaat, liqueur from Holland, can be enjoyed straight or on the rocks
Agavero, tequila-based liqueur
Alexander, mixed drink
Amaretto, almond flavored liqueur, made with apricot pits
Amaro Melitti, bitter Italian digestif flavored with aromatic herbs
Amber Ale, beer, a Belgian Ale. Sweeter due to excess malt, dark in color
Amer Picon, bitter French aperitif, with orange taste
Aperol, Italian aperitif with orange taste but contains other herbs
Arrack, a type of liquor from Southeast Asia, of fermented sugarcane, cap of coconut flowers, fruits and red rice
Asti, sweet Italian sparking wine from the Asti region using Muscat grapes. Low alcoholic content – 8%
Averna, Italian bitter liqueur often used as cocktail mixer
Baijiu, a white liquor from China, 40-60% alcohol content, ingredients include sorghum, millet, barley, wheat and glutinous rice
Barenjaeger, honey flavored liqueur produced in Germany
Barley Wine, beer, amber to darker shades of black, fruity, flavorful with high alcoholic content
Bellini, mixed drink
Benai, American version of Benedictine
Benedictine, Cognac based with herbs, roots and sugar
Bitter, beer, a pale Ale, pleasant aroma from the hops used
Blackberry Brandy, a flavored brandy
Blackberry Liqueur, a liqueur, less sweet than the brandy
Bloody Mary, mixed drink
Bock, beer, German in origin, dark from malty flavored to even darker, hop flavored
Borovicka, Slovak liquor flavored with juniper berries, 40% alcohol content, golden or white color with a dry taste
Brandy, liquor, aged in oak casks, distilled from grapes, also plums, pears and apples, often consumed after dinner, elegant and ceremonial
Butterscotch Liqueur, liqueur made from mixing butter and brown sugar
Butterscotch Schnapps, liqueur made from mixing butter and brown sugar
Cacao Mit Nuss, Crème de cacao with a hazelnut flavor
Cachaca, Brazil’s most popular liquor, 38-40% alcohol content, a distillate of molasses
Caipirinha, mixed drink
Campari, bitter Italian aperitif served on the rocks or mixed with club soda for cocktails – Negroni and Americano
Cardinal Cocktail, mixed drink
Cava, a pink or white Spanish sparkling wine using Parellada, Xarello and Chardonnay grapes
Chambord, liqueur dating back to 1685, produced in France’s Loire valley of red and black raspberries, honey, vanilla and cognac
Champagne, produced in France in the Champagne region of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meaner grapes
Chartreuse, herbal liqueur produced by Carthusian monks in the French Alps
Cherry Heering, naturally flavored cherry liqueur from Denmark, used in cocktails
Cherry Liqueur, also known as Maraschino liqueur
Chimayo, mixed drink
Cinnamon Schnapps, flavored with cinnamon, often used in cocktails and shooters
Christmas Russian, mixed drink
Coffee Liqueur, coffee flavored liqueur, known by many names, and often topped with heavy cream floating on top
Cointreau, brand name orange flavored liqueur, considered a premium triple sec
Cosmopolitan, mixed drink
Cremant, sparkling wine, produced in France with low carbon dioxide giving it a creamy mouth feel
Crème d’Abricots, Apricot Liqueur, Apry, cream of apricot liqueur from France
Crème d’Almond, pink liqueur flavored with almonds and fruit stones, similar to crème de noyaux
Crème de Bananes, Banana Liqueur, cream of banana liqueur, sweet and true to the fruit flavor
Crème de Café, coffee flavored liqueur, known by many names, and often topped with heavy cream floating on top
Crème de Cacao, chocolatae and vanilla bean based liqueur.
Crème de Cassis, sweet, low-proof liqueur made from French black currants
Crème de Cerise, sweet cherry flavored liqueur
Crème de Coconut, Coconut Liqueur, Batida de Coco, family of sweet coconut flavored liqueurs with a typically rum base
Crème de Framboise, crème liqueur with a raspberry flavor
Crème de Menthe, sweet liqueur flavored with mint leaves, either white (clear) or green
Crème de Mure, sweet blackberry flavored liqueur
Crème de Noyaux, pink liqueur with almond flavor made from stones of plums, cherries, peaches and apricots. Found in cocktails such as the Pink Squirrel
Crème de Violette, purple, violet flavored liqueur
Cuba Libre, mixed drink
Curacao, liqueur made of dried peels of laraha oranges, can also be white, blue or green
Cynar, artichoke based bitter liquer
Daiquiri, mixed drink
Damiana, lightly flavored herbal liqueur from Mexico that has long been used as an aphrodisiac
Dom Perignon, the most well known brand of Champagne
Domaine de Canton, ginger flavored liqueur with an eau-de-vie and Cognac based, produced in France
DoppleBock, beer, stronger than Bock, dark with increased caramel and chocolate malts
Drambuie, a liqueur formulated from Scotch, heather honey and herbs
Dubonnet Blanc, Dubonnet Blond, White Dubonnet, a French wine based aperitif. One of two styles
Dubonnet Rouoge, Red Dubonnet, the sweeter of the two varietals, having a red wine base flavored with spices
Dunkel, the premier variety of German lager beer. Dark, modest alcoholic content with overtones of chocolate, coffee and licorice
Ecstasy, lemon and pomegranate flavored, including natural stimulants including guarana, taurine and ginseng
Espumante, a Portuguese sparkling wine, generally an inexpensive sparkling wine
Expresso, from Italy, coffee flavored liqueur, known by many names, and often topped with heavy cream floating on top
Fernet Branca, Italian amaro (bitter liqueur) dating back to 1845 and consisting of 40 herbs, roots and spices with a menthol-eucalyptus flavor
Frangelico, hazelnut flavored liqueur
Galliano, smooth, spicy liqueur with hints of anise and vanilla, from Livorno, Italy
Gin, liquor, very popular and widely used in cocktails, distilled from grains and flavored with juniper berries, generally clear in color
Ginger Liqueur, ginger flavored liqueur
Gingerbread Liqueur, gingerbread flavored liqueur produced by Hiram Walker only available during autumn and winter seasons
Godiva, a line of chocolate liqueurs produced by Godiva Chocolatier
Goldschlager, clear colored cinnamon schnapps containing 24K gold leaf flakes. Used in cocktails and shooters for effect
Grand Marnier, Cognac based orange liqueur from France
GranGala Triple Orange, orange liqueur with Italian VSOP brandy base, flavored by Mediterranean oranges. A substitute for Grand Marnier
Grasshopper, mixed drink
Harvey Wallbanger, mixed drink
Herbsaint, a substitute for absinthe
Horilka, Ukrainian liquor distilled from grain, sugar beets, honey and potatoes, a type of local whiskey
Hpnotiq, blue tropical liqueur blends vodka, cognac and fruits (family proprietary secret). Substitute for blue curacao
Irish Ale, beer, deep red color, with sweet, malty taste.
India Pale Ale (IPA), beer, a pale Ale with a bitter scent and taste due to the hops
Irish Cream Liqueur, creamy liqueur made of Irish whiskey, cream and chocolate, often used in cocktails and shooters
Irish Mist, sweet aromatic blend of Irish whiskey, honey, herbs and other spirits in a recipe dating back more than 1,000 years
Jägermeister, an herbal liqueur produced in Germany often used in shooters
Kaoliang, Chinese liquor distributed to Korea, Taiwan and Matsu and Kinmen islands, a sorghum distilled alcoholic beverage
Kir, mixed drink
Limoncello, sweet, lemon flavored Italian dessert liqueur produced from lemon zests
Licor 43, vanilla flavored liqueur produced in Spain containing 43 ingredients with vanilla being the dominant flavor
Long Island Iced Tea, mixed drink
Lychee Liqueur, very sweet liqueurs flavored by either distilling or infusing lychee fruit into a base spirit
Mai Tai, mixed drink
Mango Liqueur, sweet, orange colored liqueur flavored with tropical fruit
Manhattan, mixed drink
Maotai, liquor produced in the town of Maotai in Southwest China, of distilled sorghum, with soy sauce type fragrance at lingers in the mouth after drinking
Maraschino, clear, dry cherry flavored liqueur made from the Marasca cherry and pits. A popular cocktail mixer
Margarita, mixed drink
Martini, mixed drink
Marzen, beer from Munich, Germany, also known as Oktoberfest beer, full-bodied, dark color
Metaxa, liquor, distilled in Greece, mixture of wine, spices, and brandy, dry in nature
Methode Cap Classique, South African sparkling wine using Sauvignon blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir grapes
Mexican Kahlua, coffee flavored liqueur, known by many names, and often topped with heavy cream floating on top
Mezcal, liquor from Mexico, distilled from maguey plan, dry in nature
Midori, light green colored liqueur with a sweet melon flavor.
Mojito, mixed drink
Munich Dark Pale, beer, Munich, Germany, a dark blend of malt and coffee taste
Navan, liqueur with Cognac black flavored with natural black vanilla from Madagascar. Produced by Grand Marnier
Ogogoro, Nigerian liquor, a distillate of Raffia juice from palm trees forming pure ethanol, 30-60% alcohol content
Ouzo, Greek aperitif liqueur flavored with anise, over 90 proof, mixed 4 parts water to one part Ouzo
Pale Ale, beer, light colored, full of malt and hops.
Pale Lager, beer, very popular throughout the world, straw colored, malty taste, filtered and crisp, highly carbonated, low alcohol content, Pilsner lagers are in this category
PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, very sweet red liqueur infused with pomegranates. Makes an excellent POM Martini
Pasha, from Turkey, coffee flavored liqueur, known by many names, and often topped with heavy cream floating on top
Patron Citronage, orange liqueur produced by Patron Spirits, perfect for tequila cocktails.
Patron XO Café, tequila based liqueur with flavor of coffee. Drier, not as sweet as other coffee liqueurs, but stronger at 70 proof
Peach Liqueur, produced from infusion of whole, fresh and/or dried peaches in brandy or neutral spirit base
Peppermint Schnapps, similar to crème de menthe with less sugar and more alcohol. A favorite in winter cocktails
Pezsgo, Hungarian sparkling wine containing a variety of many types of grapes
Pimento Dram, peppery Jamaican rum liqueur with allspice flavoring
Pimm’s Cup, a liqueur featuring secret recipes of fruit and spices in base liqueurs
Pina Colada, mixed drink
Pineapple Liqueur, Licor de Pina, a tart fruit liqueur from the Caribbean or Hawaii
Pink Squirrel, mixed drink
Pisco, liquor from Peru and Chile, a distillate of grapes
Porter, beer, extremely Dark Ale, produced with heavy-roasted malt. Medium-bodied with crisp taste.
Prosecco, sweet Italian sparkling wine using Prosecco grapes, best consumed when the wine is young and not aged
Pumpkin Liqueur, a pumpkin flavored liqueur usually produced only during autumn and winter months
Raki, anise flavored, high proof liqueur from Turkey
Rum, liquor made from distilling molasses or sugar juice. Varieties include dark, light and spiced
RumChata, a cream liqueur made with Caribbean run and Wisconsin dairy cream, flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, sugar and other ingredients
St. Germain, an elderflower liqueur with an eau-de-vie base. French
Sambuca, Italian liqueur produced from oils of anise, star anise, licorice, elderflower and other spices. Red, white, black varieties
Schnapps, a distilled spirit (not to be confused with a liqueur) produced by fermenting fruits. Varieties include apple, cinnamon and pepperment
Screwdriver, mixed drink
Sekt, German sparkling wine of Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc grapes. Austrian variety is golden using Gruner Veltline and Welschriesling grapes
Sex on the Beach, mixed drink
Shiraz, Australian sparkling wine, sweet, red, uses Shiraz grapes with other varieties as well
Shochu, liquor from Japan, distilled from rice, sweet potatoes or barley, 25% alcohol content
Singapore Sling, mixed drink
Sloe Gin, red liqueur (not gin) made from sloe plums of the blackthorn bush
Somrus, Indian cream liqueur blended from rum and dairy cream, flavored with spices
Southern Comfort, interestingly categorized as a liqueur, American, a whiskey base liqueur flavored with peaches. 100 proof. Often used as a mixer
Sovetskoye Shampanskoye, Russian Champagne
Stouts, beer, Dark Ale. Guinness is the most famous. They use malt-free, dark-roasted barley, minimal hops and sweet chocolate – types include, chocolate, coffee, dry, oatmeal and others
Strega, Italian liqueur includes 70 herbs and spices, yellow in color, its name means ‘witch’ in Italian
Sweet Revenge,wild strawberry sour mash liqueur, brilliant pink, produced in U.S., with a fruity flavor
Tangerine, liqueur comprised of tangerine with mild spice flavors
Tequila, liquor produced from blue agave. 100% alcohol content most desirable.
Tequila Rose, strawberry flavored liqueur from Mexico
Tia Maria, from Jamaica, coffee flavored liqueur, known by many names, and often topped with heavy cream floating on top
Trento Doc, Italian sparking wine, using Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, above 11% proof
Triple Sec, orange flavored liqueur, the name has gone generic for the orange liqueur classification. Cointreau and Combier are top producers
Tuaca, Italian liqueur, vanilla and citrus
Tuaca Cinnaster, the cinnamon flavored liqueur produced by Tuaca
Tuica, liquor prepared from plums and cereal grain (rachie), Romanian, alcohol content 45-60%
TY KU, pale green liqueur with sake and Asian vodka base. Base is a mix of 20 all natural fruits and botanicals
Unicum, a bitter herbal digestif of Hungarian production including a secret recipe of 40 herbs and spices created in 1790
VeeV Acai Spirit, a distilled spirit (not liqueur) made from acai fruit
Vermouth Cassis, mixed drink
Vodka, Russian liquor, odorless, tasteless, from distillation of potatoes, grains, sugar beets creating pure ethanol with water added, drank straight or mixed
Wheat Beer, pale, high carbonation
Whiskey, liquor distilled from a variety of grains – corn, rye and barley. Distilled 2 or 3 times then aged to improve flavor. Scotch, Bourbon are varieties
Whiskey Sour, mixed drink
White Russian, mixed drink
X-Rated Fusion, pink liqueur infusion of mango, Provence blood oranges and passion fruit in premium vodka. France
Yukon Jack, Canadian whisky-based honey liqueur often mistaken as straight Canadian whisky with a sweetened taste
Zen, green colored, green tea flavored produced by Suntory (Japanese) used in cocktails
Zombie, mixed drink
Zwack, herbal digestif liqueur less bitter with more citrus than Unicum. Popular in U.S. as the Jägermeister alternative