The Best Liqueurs to Buy in 2023, According to the Experts

To create this deep, dark after-dinner liqueur, Mr Black takes its signature cold brew and ‘rests’ it on fruity Tanzanian cacao nibs. So far, so good.

This concoction is then blended with Starward’s smokey, peated Melbourne-made whisky, to create a complex liqueur that’s just as at home over ice, as it is in coffee-based cocktails.

We love a negroni as much as the next person, and this is the ideal liqueur to take our go-to serve to the next level. As festive as a mince pie, there’s a strong juniper base here, with notes of cinnamon and citrus peel.

Just follow the trusted 1:1:1 ratio of vermouth, Campari and this gin liqueur, and you’ve got yourself a winter negroni in seconds.

A reincarnation of Cuvée Louis Alexandre, this is a blend of VSOP cognac and bitter orange liqueur, which gives this French digestif an unmistakably Christmassy feel.

Made for short, powerful cocktails, we’re big fans of the woody base, sharp freshness (that reminds us of biting into a clementine) and herbal finish. Try adding a splash to mulled wine and thank us later.

Not that we’d suggest pouring over your granola, but Adriatico’s vegan liqueur tastes uncannily like boozy milk. It’s made from crushed almonds, so it’s not as heavy as your traditional cream-based liqueur, and the Italian amaretto base delivers an additional layer of marzipan that wouldn’t go amiss in a cappuccino.

It’s also vegan-friendly and lactose-free.

We would never turn down a glass of Kyrö’s single-batch, spicy rye whisky after dinner. And if the brand wants to add a dash of local milk and cream to proceedings, who are we to say no?

Through some sort of alchemy, this cream liqueur is also lactose- and gluten-free. No, we don’t understand either, but we can vouch for the award-winning milk punch flavour, and frankly, what else matters? Boozy milkshakes all round.

Sometimes only a proper cream liqueur will hit the spot, and for those times the Cotswolds Distillery delivers. The English whisky base absolutely shines through the light touch of Irish cream, tasting just like Werther’s Originals — need we say more?

If you were to leave a bowl of the finest vanilla ice cream to melt, add a splash of single malt Irish whiskey, and grate over a bar of Belgium white chocolate — we imagine the resulting flavour would be much the same as Coole Swan’s smooth sipper.

But that seems silly when you could just pour a glug of this. Try it straight up, or in an old-school White Russian cocktail.

When you think about it, the ingredients that go into a traditional tiramisu are often the very same flavours we reach for when making a decadent after-dinner cocktail.

And Stambecco has conveniently taken the liberty of bottling them, leaving you to enjoy notes of fresh coffee, bitter chocolate and creamy vanilla, either over ice or in an espresso martini.

Made with gluten-free vodka, cocoa and dairy, this chocolate liqueur is so darn decadent, you may as well go the whole hog and pour it straight over ice-cream. It’s dessert in itself, and tastes just like our favourite champagne truffles.

Partial to a spoonful of Nutella straight out of the jar? We see you. Grow up a bit will you and replace it with Quaglia’s sophisticated hazelnut liqueur. Granted, it’s a little syrupy, so works best in cocktails where you can appreciate its silky-smooth delivery.

This distinctive South African spirit is made from the native marula fruit, which is hand harvested during a short three-month period each year. It’s not quite as thick as Baileys, but every bit as creamy, and has a fruity, butterscotch note that’s delicious sipped over ice.

And that elephant on the bottle? That’s Jabulani, a rescued orphan that the brand supports by sharing a percentage of profits with elephant orphanage charity, HERD.

Sweet, buttery and creamy, we love Micil’s fresh take on the classic cream liqueur. It’s made with Irish whiskey, Irish cream and Ireland’s answer to moonshine — poitín.

Lip-smackingly delicious, you can expect notes of white chocolate, caramel and honey.

This Irish whiskey liqueur is made with vanilla, sticky toffee and caramel and can be enjoyed as a cheeky party starter (yes, we mean a velvety shot).

Alternatively, you can serve over ice with a mixer, or in hot drinks — making it a surprisingly versatile addition to the bar cart.