Cordials, aperitifs, and after-dinner drinks may not be necessary, but they boast hospitality and sophistication when toasting to any event or party! Here is the basic breakdown of what they are and the order they are served in. 

Aperitifs

To jump start your party, serve these drinks before lunch or dinner.  The most important thing to remember is that they should not be too high in alcohol content.

Fortified wines:  sherry, port, Lillet, and the vermouth, Dubonnet; "bitters"
Spirits flavored with bitter herbs or roots:  including Campari, Angostura, and Amer Picon. Also include herb-flavored pastis drinks, such as Pernod and Ouzo.
Mixed drinks: such as Kir — a blend of dry white wine with a dash of crème de cassis.
Champagne: perhaps the most recognized aperitif.

Cordials

These sweet flavored liqueurs are a hospitable ending to any dinner party.  Below are common cordials and my favorite recipes to go along with them.

 
Grand Marnier:  Sweet cognac-based liqueur that is flavored with oranges. This is a really classy cocktail ingredient. My favorite cocktail with this is the flaming “B52”…Really tasty and entertaining!

B52

3 oz. Kahlua
1.5 oz. Bailey’s
1 oz. Grand Marnier
Layer Bailey’s over Kahlua and then a drizzle of Grand Marnier floated on the top and set alight.

Drambuie:  A unique blend of Scotch whiskey and spiced honey. Try the “Drambuie Fizz” cocktail…it’s bold, exotic, and deceptively easy to make. The combination of limes with the spiced scotch whiskey liqueur in this evocative cocktail makes for an exciting alternative to popular cocktails like the Caipirinha or the Mojito.

Drambuie Fizz

Muddle 6 to 8 lime wedges in a rocks glass and then fill with crushed ice.
Add 1.5 parts of Drambuie and top off with a splash of club soda.

Sambuca Romana: For an after dinner treat try the “Café Romano” by adding a little Sambuca to coffee or espresso!

Café Romano

1 oz. Sambuca
1 oz. Kahlua or Coffee Liqueur
1 oz. Half & Half or Cream
2 - 3 Coffee Beans
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Godiva Dark or White Chocolate: The presence of a beautiful woman with flowing long hair on a white stallion will only serve to make this martini recipe “Lady Godiva Chocolate Martini” even better! This wonderful chocolate martini is well worth the investment in the fine ingredients. What a wonderfully sinful way to excite a martini glass!

Lady Godiva Chocolate Martini

2 oz. of Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur
2 oz. of Crème de Cacao
1 oz. of half-and-half
2 oz. of freezing Goldenbarr Chocolate Vodka
1 tablespoon of shaved white chocolate
2 well chilled, classy looking martini glasses
Combine the Godiva Chocolate liqueur, Crème de Cacao, and Goldenbarr Chocolate vodka into a cocktail shaker half full of cracked ice. Shake for one full minute. Add the half-and-half to the shaker and gently swirl (circular motion). Strain your fine chocolate creation into your martini glasses. Top each martini with shaved white chocolate.
 
Bailey’s Irish Cream:  “Sinful Treat”-need I say more?

Sinful Treat

25ml Strawberry Liqueur
20ml Bailey’s
10ml Francoli Chocolate Grappa (available from liquor stores)
20ml fresh cream
Hershey's Chocolate Syrup to garnish
Pour ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled martini glass garnished with a pattern of Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Serve with fresh strawberries and Chocolate Grappa or Hershey’s as a dipping sauce.

Amarula: Much like Bailey's, Amarula Cream is a South African cream liqueur and very exotic. Amarula has hints of chocolate, caramel, and vanilla and is best served chilled, on the rocks, or with crushed ice.  The “Marula” is the perfect example. It’s a great sipping drink!

Marula

1.5 oz. Absolute Vanilla Vodka
1.5 oz. Amarula Cream Liqueur
1.5 oz. half-and-half
Mix vanilla vodka and Amarula Cream together with ice in a shaker, strain, and pour into glass or serve on ice.

Amaretto Di Saronno:  Has a distinct flavor of almonds. It is usually served straight, on the rocks.  I recommend the same.

Tia Maria: A dark brown, rum-based liqueur from Jamaica that features a strong coffee flavor. Try the “Pink Climax”. The name speaks for itself. 

 Pink Climax

2 oz . Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 shots Tia Maria
1 shot vodka
Ice
Whipped cream
1 shot white rum
Put 2/3 cubes of ice in a glass. Add to that one shot of vodka and then one shot of white rum. Next, add the two shots of Tia Maria. Quickly pour over the Bailey’s and whisk briskly to combine all the spirits together. Finally add some whipped cream on top to finish the cocktail off.

Tuaca: This Italian brandy based liqueur is flavored with vanilla, citrus, almond, coconut, orange and cocoa. “Tuaca and Cola” is simple but effective.

Tuaca & Cola

1.5 oz Tuaca
3 oz Cola
Serve over ice.

Kahlua: A well known Mexican coffee flavored liqueur. It is heavy and sweet, with a very distinct taste of Mexican coffee.  This makes for an excellent “Espresso Martini”.  This classy cocktail is a perfect after-dinner treat.  Just replace the olives with coffee beans!

Espresso Martini

7 oz. vodka (Stoli Coffee-flavored Vodka is a good choice)
1/2 oz. Kahlua
1/2 oz. espresso
4 coffee beans, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, shake vodka with crushed ice for about 30 seconds. Add Kahlua and espresso and give another couple of shakes to combine. Let stand for a minute to fully chill through. Strain into two chilled martini glasses, and add two coffee beans to each glass.

Frangelico: With flavors of hazelnut and butter, the “Suicide Blonde” is a smash hit!

Suicide Blonde

Mix equal parts of Frangelico, Irish Cream, Amaretto, and Crème de Cacao. Serve over ice. 

 

After-Dinner Drinks

These after-dinner drinks are perfect digestives. Cognacs, port, and late harvest wines are reported to assist in settling the stomach.  These drinks are very dense and complex with a calming effect that will linger with your guests long after the party has ended. 

Cognac: An expensive and widely recognized type of brandy. It is known to be one of the finest and most elegant liqueurs in the world.   If you are trying to make a statement, keep this drink in mind when planning your event.  

Calvados: One of the world’s great brands of apple brandy.  Calvados is dry and gives your taste buds a warm flavor, perfect for Christmas parties. 

Single-Malt Scotch: Serve this on the rocks with a splash of water. It goes down smooth with a hint of smokiness.
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Grappa: A clear Italian brandy, Grappa is fairly fiery (40% alcohol).  Not for any lightweights.
 
Port: Port is a wonderful wine for blissfully sipping in a relaxed manner after a good meal. If you are a cigar smoker, it makes a perfect accompaniment. Also, you could pair it with walnuts, chocolate, or strong cheeses like Cheddar, or even better, bleu cheeses like Stilton or Gorgonzola

Single-Barrel Bourbon:  This is meant to be sipped.  Aged in burnt barrels, it has a warm smooth feeling going down the hatch. 

By: Michael Bassolino