Moonshine, Liquor and Cordials

Liqueurs are spirit based drinks to which flavors are added, usually by infusion, and are often enhanced by sweetening. Sometimes spirits are flavored but there are no unflavored liqueurs; they are simply known as spirits. Liqueurs are also known as 'cordials' in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the Scandinavian and Germanic speaking countries liqueurs and spirits are commonly known as 'aquavits', 'schnapps' (snaps), or 'washers'; in eastern Baltic and Slavic countries as 'vodkas' and in French speaking counties as 'eau de vies' and brandies.

Liqueurs are generally not aged for any great length of time (although their base spirit may be), but may undergo brief resting or aging stages during their production so that the various flavors can "marry" together into a harmonious blend.