Cordially yours: cordials have solidly evolved from after-dinner afterthought to mainstream cocktail ingredient

Cheers, July-August, 2002 by Michael Sherer

Hot methods include distillation in water and distillation in alcohol. Water distillation is used for delicate herbs and flowers. Once distilled, the flavored water is added to an alcohol base. Ingredients such as seeds, nuts, bark or orange peel are more often distilled in alcohol. They're first soaked in alcohol for several hours, then distilled with additional spirits.

A FLAVOR FOR EVERY TASTE

(Proprietary brands are capitalized; generic cordials are listed in lower case.)

absinteh Precursor to Pernod, his green, licorice-tasting liqueur is banned in many countries because one of its ingredients, wormwood, is a neurotoxin. FRANCE

Aliaze Passion fruit and cognac. FRANCE

amaretto Almond and apricot. ITALY

Amarula Cream-based liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree. AFRICA

Anisette Anise seed (licorice flavor) FRANCE

Baileys Cream liqueur made with Irish whiskey, flavorred with chocolate and vanilla. IRELAND

Benedictine/B&B Cognac-based liqueur made with more than 70 ingredients, including citrus peel and honey. First made in 1510. FRANCE

Campri More often considered an apertif than cordial, it's a bitter, fortified red wine. FRANCE

Chambord Black raspberry. FRANCE

Chartreuse Brandy-based herb liqueur containing more than 130 ingredients. The recipe dates from 1605. FRANCE

Cointreau Brandy-based orange liqueur. FRANCE

creme de cassis Blac currants. FRANCE

curacao Bitter curacao oranges, spices. DUTCH WEST INDIES

Drambuie Scotch-based liqueur made with honey, heather, clover, herbs and spices. SCOTLAND

Framboise Raspberries. FRANCE

Frangelico Hazelnuts, vanilla and cocoa. ITALY

Galliano Brandy-based anise-flavored liqueur. ITALY

Grand Marnier Cognac and curacao oranges. FRANCE

GranGala Italian brandy and three types of sweet oranges. ITALY

Irish Mist Irish whiskey, heather honey, herbs and spice. IRELAND

Jagermeister 56 fruits, herbs and spices; strong licorice flavor. GERMANY

Kahlua Coffee-flavored liqueur with hints of chocolate and vanilla. MEXICO

Limoncello Lemons. ITALY

Midori Melon-flavored. JAPAN

ouzo Licorice flavor. GREECE

pastis Very similar to ouzo. FRANCE

Pernod Brandy-based, flavored with anise see and fennel. FRANCE

Pimm's Cup Fruit-flavored bitters with duff rent spirit bases (No. 1, gin; No. 2, whiskey; No. 3, rum; No. 4, brandy; etc.) ENGLAND

Sabra Jaffa oranges and a hint of chocolate. ISRAEL

sambuca Made with the fruit of white-flowered elderberry bushes, Licorice flavor. ITALY

Schnapps Neutral grain or potato-based spirit, flavored with anything from peppermint to root beer. Originated in SCANDINAVIA and GERMANY

Southern Comfort Peaches, oranges and herbs in a bourbon base. UNITED STATES

Tia Maria Rum-based coffee liqueur with spices. JAMAICA

triple sec White liqueur distilled from curacao orange peel. FRANCE

Tuaca Brandy-based, wit hints of vanilla and orange. ITALY

--MS