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Liqueurs That’ll Take Your At-home Cocktails to the Next Level

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Bottle of Amaro Averna


You’ve got the spirit basics covered on your bar cart—everything from warming whiskeys to top-shelf vodkas, and noteworthy tequilas. But there are also some liqueurs that are bidding for a primo spot on your cart. The very best liqueurs are complex but not cloying; suitable for sipping on their own. But they’re also diplomats—meaning they can add an extra layer to cocktails without stealing the spotlight and overpowering your favorite liquors.

The sweet concoctions in weird bottles that can be confused with maple syrup or the candy-like puckers you open once a decade need not apply to our latest curation of the very best liqueurs. These nine refined bottles are for the discerning at-home bartender.


Amaro Averna
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1. Amaro Averna

Amaro Averna is a bar cart classic that’s made with a closely guarded 150-year-old recipe. The traditional Sicilian way to drink it is over ice, with a squeeze of fresh lemon, and with a sprig of herbs and a twist of lemon as the garnish. But this bittersweet Italian liqueur that’s made with Mediterranean herbs, roots, and spices is also nice in an espresso martini (in case you’ve missed it, the coffee cocktail has made a comeback stronger than a double shot) or in a black Manhattan—a riff on a whiskey cocktail that calls for Amaro Averna instead of sweet vermouth. There’s a lot of great things happening in this liqueur. Start by homing in on the notes of citrus, licorice, and juniper berries.

[$34.99, 750ml bottle; drizly.com]

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Bottle of St-Germain liqueur

St-Germain
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2. St-Germain

Because of its versatility, St-Germain, an elderflower liqueur, is known as a “bartender’s ketchup,” says Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of Speed Rack bartending competition and bar director of Llama Inn and Llama San in New York City. “It goes well with any spirit from light to dark,” she says. “It’s equally comfortable in a spritz or old fashioned.” A little bit goes a long way to adjust the balance of a cocktail and add a unique flavor, which is floral but not perfumy. The claim is that there’s up to 1,000 wild elderflower blossoms in every bottle.

[$37.99, 750ml bottle; drizly.com]

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Bottle of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto on a table beside a cocktail in a coupe glass

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
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3. Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

Go ahead, you’d be correct to judge this liqueur by its superb aquamarine bottle that will shine on your bar cart. Italicus is crafted with bergamotto, which is a citrus that’s similar to an orange in size but has a green-yellow peel rich in essential oils. Through a process known as “Sfumatura,” the peels are infused in cold water, releasing bittersweet essential oils. It’s then blended with other botanicals, like Roman chamomile from Lazio, and lavender and yellow roses from Northern Italy. The liqueur adds a nice complexity to summer spritzes. Or you could make a simple beer cocktail with one part Italicus, four parts of your favorite IPA. In a cocktail world of age-old spirits, Italicus is a newcomer: It was born in 2016, and quickly garnered recognition including a “Best New Spirit” honor at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.

[$39.99, 750ml bottle; drizly.com]

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Bottle of Hibiscus Liqueur held in an outstretched hand in front of an orange wall

Hibiscus Liqueur
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4. Hibiscus Liqueur

If you love tequila cocktails like margaritas and palomas, keep a bottle of Fruitlab Hibiscus Liqueur from Greenbar Distillery on deck. Created with whole hibiscus flowers and fresh California lemons, this hibiscus liqueur is juicy and tart without being cloying. It also plays nicely with rum and mezcal cocktails and can be added to sparkling wine for a little holiday oomph. Also, for every bottle purchased, Greenbar plants a tree in Central America rainforests, which is cheers-worthy.

[$29.99, 750ml bottle; drizly.com]

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Bottle of D.O.M. Bénédictine

D.O.M. Bénédictine
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5. D.O.M. Bénédictine

This silky French liqueur was originally made by a monk in the 1600s and is an alchemy of 27 secret spices and herbs, with tasting notes that include citrus and honey. “A delicate and nuanced herbal liqueur, one of the first to be employed in cocktails, it is indispensable in many classic formulations including a number of New Orleans classics such as the Vieux Carré,” says Nicholas Jarrett, a bartender at Peychaud’s in New Orleans. Vieux Carrés, by the way, are stiff rye whiskey cocktails with cognac and spices from the Bénédictine.

[$19.99, 375ml bottle; totalwine.com]

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Bottle of Nixta Licor de Elote

Nixta Licor de Elote
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6. Nixta Licor de Elote

Mexico’s heirloom Cacahuazintle corn is traditionally used to make tortillas and tamales. It also makes a damn good liqueur that’s savory and sweet with just a hint of roasted corn, plus notes of vanilla and caramel. Swap it for orange liqueur in your next margarita or kick your old fashioneds up a notch with the addition of some Nixta. If you’re a baker, you can use it in pastries like flan or panna cotta too. The textured bottle, you’ll notice, looks like an artistic interpretation of a corn cob.

[$32.99, 750ml bottle; drizly.com]

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Bottle of Green Chartreuse liqueur

Green Chartreuse
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7. Green Chartreuse

Supposedly made from 130 different herbs, Green Chartreuse is the most complex herbal liqueur you’re going to come across, promises Harry Jameson, general manager of a.kitchen + a.bar in Philadelphia. The centuries-old recipe is protected by Caruthian monks and those involved in the production only know fragments of the recipe. “There is absolutely no substitute for this liqueur,” he says. “It’s an essential ingredient in a Last Word or a Champs-Elysees, but can also give a fantastic kick to any kind of gimlet variant.” It’s minty, so you could add a splash to your hot cocoa or après-ski drinks for a winter warmer.

[$62.99, 750ml bottle; drizly.com]

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Bottle of Select Aperitivo beside a cocktail in a stemmed glass

Select Aperitivo
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8. Select Aperitivo

This classic Venetian aperitif was dreamed up in 1920 in the Castello district at Pilla Distilleries, a spot well respected for the art of liquor making. Today, this ruby red liqueur is synonymous with the Venetian cocktail scene and is the base for the Original Venetian Spritz. Make one of your own with three parts prosecco, two parts Select Aperitivo, and a splash of soda with a green olive garnish. Aromatic and bittersweet, this bottle has a blend of 30 botanicals and hints of vanilla and cardamom.

[$26.50, 750ml bottle; Bitters & Bottles]

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Bottle of Giffard Crème de Pamplemousse Rose

Giffard Crème de Pamplemousse Rose
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9. Giffard Crème de Pamplemousse Rose

If you tend to make a lot of bright, citrus-forward cocktails at home, “fruit liqueurs can take them to the next level,” says Jameson. But exercise some caution—you don’t want a syrupy sweet fruit liqueur. His recommendation: anything from Giffard. “While many liqueurs have a bright pop of initial flavor that then fades into an artificial and unpleasant bitterness, I find Giffard liqueurs to have a deeper flavor that lingers much longer and gives cocktails a more complete flavor profile,” he says. The Crème de Pamplemousse Rose specifically is a liqueur infused with pink grapefruit zests, which is a secret weapon in palomas or could be splashed into bubbles.

[$24.99, 750ml bottle; totalwine.com]

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10 Best Porters to Drink Right Now

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A bottle of Deschutes Black Butte Porter




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Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

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Barbell Back Squat


The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.

“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.

If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.

Directions

Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.

Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

Circuit 1

Marius Bugge

A. Barbell Back Squat

Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts renegade row
Marius Bugge

B. Renegade Row

Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side

Circuit 2

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing renegade row Dumbbell Bentover Row in gym
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bentover Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 
Marius Bugge

B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 

Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 3

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat

Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Marius Bugge

B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Circuit 4

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing pullup
Marius Bugge

A. Pullup

Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Marius Bugge

B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press

Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 5

A. Dumbbell Pushup

Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps

B. Biceps Curl

Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps


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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout

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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout




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