Fruit Liqueur and Cocktails

Fruit liqueurs are generally used for making cocktails and mixes, since they offer a sweet taste and are infused with natural fruit or fruit extracts which add more fruity flavours to the mixed beverage.

Some cocktails made from fruit liqueur include:

• Pina Colada - The classic Pina Colada recipe calls for cream of coconut to give it its signature thick texture. A pineapple infused liqueur and rum combined with this rich creamy ingredient makes it easier to make and far tastier. You still get all the sweetness but now there's a subtle hint of something extra in the taste as well. This drink works perfectly when served right after shaking because then the ingredients will not separate too much which allows for a smooth, warming beverage.
• Cranberry Screw Driver - Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour in orange juice until it is about an inch from the top of your glass, add vodka and finally cranberry liqueur. Stir well before drinking because certain ingredients will separate over time so you will need to stir to blend them together again.
• Cosmopolitan - Pour all ingredients including cranberry liqueur, into a shaker filled with ice, then shake vigorously for 30 seconds or longer depending on how strong you want this drink to be. Strain the cocktail through a strainer into martini glasses that have been trimmed by dipping each edge along the outside of a small shallow dish containing lime juice and sugar. Serve immediately after preparing since the beverage does not keep well.
• Watermelon Margarita - In a blender container combine margarita mix, tequila, watermelon liqueur, orange-pineapple juice concentrate, honeydew melon balls and crushed ice. Cover, and blend on high speed for about 30 seconds.
• Blueberry Basil Smash - It is made with blueberries, basil leaves, liqueur and lemonade.
• Blueberry Mimosa – This cocktail consists of champagne, sugar syrup, vodka, lime juice or orange juice, and blueberry liqueur. Serve it chilled as well as garnishing each glass using thin round slices of lime.
• Raspberry Shake – This is made with raspberry liqueur, milk, vodka and vanilla ice cream.
• Strawberry Daiquiri – This consists of strawberries or strawberry liqueur, lime juice or orange juice, along with white rum, then blended briefly in a blender or crushed using a mortar and pestle until it becomes smooth before adding sugar syrup to taste as well as serving over shaved ice if desired. Variations of this cocktail include using strawberry purée.
• Pineapple Pina Colada – The Pina Colada is easily made using pineapple liqueur and other ingredients such as fresh pineapple juice, coconut cream or coconut milk along with rum. Some people use heavy cream instead of coconut cream which adds a difference to the flavour of the cocktail.
• Tequila Sunrise – This popular cocktail is made with orange juice, tequila, grenadine syrup and passionfruit liqueur to add some zest to it.
• White Lady – This is made from gin paired with Cointreau and fresh lemon juice then shaken together before serving on crushed ice if desired.

Many cocktails are normally made using spirits such as gin or vodka, but can easily be infused with fruity tropical liqueurs that enhance the flavours in a unique way. Since fruit liqueurs are sweet and fruit tasting, you don’t need to add many extra ingredients to it as well. Cocktails made with fruit liqueurs are fun to experiment and create with, especially when the weather is too hot for regular cocktails, and you need something simple and easy which will help you wind down after a hard day of working.

Making some delicious fruit liqueur cocktails are also great for summer get-togethers and parties, and when you have small parties of friends or family over, perhaps a nice summer poolside lunch or bar-be-que. Some fruit liqueurs can also be made at home if you have a lot of patience and time, since they need a few weeks to ferment and preserve, but you will be able to dazzle your friends and family with your own home-made fruit liqueurs. It is also much cheaper to make these liqueurs at home rather than buying expensive brands from the market to make your favourite fruit cocktails this summer.