Liqueurs: Cream Liqueurs

Liqueurs are a diverse family of strong, sweet, alcoholic beverages, usually containing distilled spirits such as brandy, whiskey, and rum, which are made by combining spirits with sugar and flavorings. A cream liqueur is a specific type of liqueur that is a dairy-based oil-in-water emulsion containing sufficient alcohol to inhibit microbial growth; cream liqueurs typically contain cream, protein, sugar, alcohol, flavors, colors, and emulsifiers. Physical instability during storage is the main problem facing cream liqueurs, and a key technological step is homogenization to produce cream liqueurs with fat globules of very small diameters and thereby ensure the long-term stability of the product. This article reviews the principles of formulation and production of liqueurs in general, with particular focus on the case of cream liqueurs.