8 to Try: Giftable Liqueurs

The world of liqueurs is vast, from those showcasing fruits and flowers to others highlighting spices, nuts, coffee, and more. And when it comes to gifting, these special spirits are a great way to bring beauty and flavor to any home bar. The options are endless, but here are some of our favorite liqueurs to gift during the holidays (or anytime). And click here to read more about the wide-ranging landscape of liqueurs.

St. George Spirits NOLA Coffee Liqueur

From Bay Area distillery St. George Spirits, this unique coffee liqueur evokes the nostalgic flavor of New Orleans. Beginning with cold-infused Yirgacheffe coffee beans from Ethiopia, the distillery then adds roasted chicory and vanilla beans to round out the complex liqueur. Add some delicious nuance to coffee-centric cocktails like the Black Lodge, a rich take on the Boulevardier. $46.99, reservebar.com

Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur

For fans of amaro, traditional walnut liqueur (often called by its Italian name, nocino) can make for an intriguing new bottle. Made in Austria for three generations by the Purkhart family, Nux Alpina steeps fresh green walnuts in brandy and then infuses the spirit with spices and alpine botanicals. It’s a natural match with brown spirits or sipped solo after dinner as a digestif. $29.96, astorwines.com

Nixta Licor de Elote

For the home bartender who likes to experiment, Nixta Licor de Elote brings one of the more unique flavor profiles—and bottle shapes—to the bar cart. Made in Jilotepec, Mexico, from ancestral maize, the corn liqueur brings together the sweet, toasty flavors of vanilla, caramel, and roasted corn that pair particularly well with whiskey and agave spirits. $39.99, curiada.com

Faccia Brutto Centerbe

From the Italian-inspired Brooklyn makers Faccia Brutto, the forest-green Centerbe is an herbal liqueur falling somewhere between Chartreuse and génépy, macerated with both fresh and dried botanicals like lemon balm, nettles, coriander, and tarragon. Sweetened with cane sugar and bottled at a bold 45 percent ABV, the liqueur is a delicious domestic interpretation. $25, facciabruttospirits.com

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

The go-to bottle at craft cocktail bars for adding the flavor of bergamot to drinks, Italian liqueur Italicus also contributes a delicate floral complexity ideal for gin drinks, swapped in for a standard citrus liqueur, or simply topped with sparkling wine for a spritz. The gorgeous bottle makes it extra gifty, to boot. $41.99, caskers.com

Joseph Cartron Crème de Cassis de Bourgogne

Crème de cassis (aka blackcurrant liqueur) has long been a cocktail staple. Historic Burgundian maker Joseph Cartron sources black currants from the region’s farmers, producing a juicy, complex liqueur. Simply add a splash to sparkling wine for the perfect holiday party cocktail, a Kir Royale. $32.99, josephcartronusa.com

Giffard Piment d’Espelette

The booming popularity of spicy drinks makes this chile liqueur from Giffard a solid go-to. Made using whole French Espelette peppers and boosting the mixture with a bit of aged rhum agricole from Martinique, the sweet and spicy liqueur brings an herbaceous warmth with notes of vanilla and cocoa. $39.97, winechateau.com

Botanika Angelica Lemon

From historic Polish vodka producer Chopin, these new Botanika Angelica liqueurs are made with a base of their signature rye vodka. Macerated in clay pots, the lemon liqueur is made in small batches with hand-squeezed lemons and sweetened just enough to balance the bright citrus flavors. Expect floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle, and just a hint of nutmeg. $34.99, kegnbottle.com