Liqueurs are the quiet achievers of the back bar. They bring flavour, balance and texture to cocktails, from the bright lift of orange in a Margarita to the almond depth of an Amaretto Sour. As cocktail culture continues to thrive in the UK, liqueurs are once again at the centre of the conversation.

What Exactly Is a Liqueur

A liqueur begins with a distilled spirit such as brandy, rum, vodka or whisky. It is then sweetened and flavoured with ingredients like fruit, herbs, nuts or cream.

Under UK and EU definitions, a liqueur must contain at least 15% ABV and a minimum of 100 grams of sugar per litre (more for cream-based varieties). This sugar content gives liqueurs their smooth, rounded flavour and makes them ideal for mixing, sipping or serving over ice.

In simple terms, every liqueur starts life as a spirit but not every spirit qualifies as a liqueur.

A Short History

Liqueurs date back to medieval Europe, when monks and apothecaries infused spirits with herbs and botanicals to create medicinal tonics. Over time, those recipes evolved into the refined drinks we know today. Historic names such as Benedictine, Chartreuse, Cointreau and Grand Marnier still define the category, combining centuries of craft with modern appeal.

The UK Market

The UK liqueur category continues to show steady growth, with analysts forecasting a compound annual growth rate of around 3.5 to 4% through 2035. Cream liqueurs are performing even stronger, expected to expand by over 6% per year (Allied Market Research, 2024).

This rise mirrors the broader strength of the cocktail sector. Research from CGA by NIQ shows cocktails remain one of the fastest-growing drink segments in the UK on-trade, and liqueurs are essential to that growth — adding complexity, texture and flavour to an expanding range of serves.

What’s Selling

Industry data highlights a consistent mix of top performers:

• Baileys remains the leading cream liqueur and one of the UK’s biggest-selling alcohol brands.

• Campari leads the aperitivo category, named by CLASS Bar Magazine as the bestselling liqueur in around 16% of UK bars.

• Malibu, Disaronno and Kahlúa continue to perform strongly in tropical, nut and coffee styles.

These brands cover the key flavour profiles most bartenders rely on: citrus, coffee, nutty, herbal and cream.

Why Bartenders Are Using More Liqueurs

• Flavour range – A single liqueur can refresh an entire cocktail list. Coffee liqueurs add depth to dessert serves, while citrus or herbal options brighten spritzes and long drinks.

• Lower alcohol appeal – Liqueur-based cocktails align with the growing demand for lighter drinking options.

• Menu flexibility – Stocking a focused selection of liqueurs allows venues to offer a broad range of drinks without overcomplicating the bar setup.

Technology Meets Taste

At Cocktail Supreme, we understand the demands of quick service mixology, consistency, speed and variety. Our automated cocktail machine connects up to 30 ingredients, allowing bartenders to serve up to 640 cocktails when fully stocked.

This advanced drinks dispenser gives bars, hotels and event venues the freedom to offer a diverse range of drinks, from spirit-forward classics to liqueur-based spritzes and low-ABV serves.

Whether pouring a Campari Spritz, an Espresso Martini or a Passionfruit Sour, the Cocktail Supreme machine delivers precision and consistency every time, helping venues manage high volumes without sacrificing quality.

It is the perfect solution for venues where speed of service and drink variety matter most. Our automated drinks dispenser is ideal for bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues looking to grow their cocktail offering.

The Takeaway

Liqueurs have never been more relevant. They bring creativity, flavour and margin opportunity to modern bar service. When combined with technology designed for efficiency like the Cocktail Supreme automated drinks dispenser, they open the door to faster, more consistent and more profitable cocktail service.