Many people cook with wine. But cooking with liquor or spirits adds exciting new flavors to food. This makes them more interesting. As the alcohol evaporates, their essences are concentrated. Their sugars also become carmelized. And, of course, nothing compares to the excitement of a flambed dish!
All of the cookbooks below provide great ways to enhance foods by cooking with spirits and liqueurs.
Liqueurs are spirits to which distillers add additional flavors. These may be sugar, fruits, flowers, seeds, roots, herbs, and spices. Because of their wide variety, liqueurs offer many ways to add exciting new flavors to foods.
Books for Cooking with Liquor or Spirits
Click on a title to find libraries that hold it. Many libraries offer interlibrary loan services.
Allen, N. Bourbon Cookbook. Kearney, NE: Morris, 2011.
Allison, S. Cooking with Liqueurs, Spirits and Wine. Newton , Eng: David, 1981.
Did you know?
There’s no worm in tequila. The so-called worm is in mezcal. And the “worm” is actually a butterfly caterpillar.
Anstis, J. Cooking with Liqueurs. FastPrint, 2011.
Baker, L. Recipes for Spirited Sweets. New York: Running, 2011.
Balman, S. Cupcakes with a Kick. La Vergne: Skyhorse, 2018.
Banning, K. Desserts to Get You in the Spirit. Sydney: New Holland, 2009.
Beam, J. Trénais Nouvelle Liqueur: Nouvelle Experiences in Fine Cuisine. Chicago: Jim Beam, n.d.
Beam, J. Cordials Cooking. Clermont, KY: Clear Spring, n.d.
Beard, J. The Grand Marnier Cookbook. New York: Grand Marnier, n.d.
Bone, G. Cooking with Booze. La Vergne: Skyhorse, 2017.
Caruba, R. Cooking with Wine and Spirits. New York: Cornerstone, 1971.
Cointreau. Secrets of Flaming Desserts. Lawrenceville, NJ: Cointreau, n.d.
Cointreau. Cooking with Cointreau. Pennington, NJ: Cointreau, n.d.
Cole, S. Gourmet Adventures with Liqueurs. Detroit: Sabre, 1991.
Currance, J. Pickles, Pigs & Whiskey. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel, 2013.
How about this?
Distillation began during the Middle Ages. The alcohol produced was aqua vitae or “water of life.”
Daniels, D. et al. The Bourbon Country Cookbook. Chicago: Surrey, 2018.
De Wulf, L. Adventures with Liqueurs [cookbook]. New York: Books in Focus, 1979.
Drambuie. Unlock the Secrets of Drambuie: Selected Cocktails and Recipes. Edinburgh: Drambuie, 1989.
Drambuie. Drambuie à la Carte. Edinburgh: Drambuie, 1989.
Frangelico. Frangelico Liqueur [cookbook]. New York: Grant & Sons, n.d.
Galliano. … and Add a Measure of Gold [Galliano]. New York: Galliano, 1970.
Gardner, K. Cooking with Cocktails: 100 Spirited Recipes. New York: Countryman, 2017.
Greenberg, E. and M. Whiskey in the Kitchen. New York: New Am Lib, 1970.
Greenberg, E. Gourmet Cooking with Old Crow. Frankfort, KY: Old Crow, 1990.
Hebert, M. The First Brandy Cookbook. Concord, CA: Nitty Gritty, 1973.
Hebert, M. California Brandy Cuisine. San Francisco: WAG, 1984.
Hutson, L. and Marshall, J. Tequila! Cooking with the Spirit of Mexico. Berkeley: Ten Speed, 1995.
Irish Mist. Irish Mist in Fine Food. Dublin: Irish Mist, 1989.
Would you believe?
The strongest that any spirits can be is about 190 proof. That’s about 95% alcohol. At higher proof, the alcohol draws moisture from the air and self-dilutes.
Jones, S. Cooking with the Christian Brothers Brandy. Los Angeles: Bar Guide, 1982.
Kahlúa. Kahlúa [Food] Recipe Book. Los Angeles: Maidstone, 1986.
Laabs, S. and Field, S. Never Cook Sober Cookbook. 100 (Fool) Proof Recipes. Avon, MA: Adams, 2012.
Laird, L. AppleJack Cookbook. Sobeyville, NJ: Laird, 1992.
La Maison Delan. Chambord: Special Cocktail and Cooking Recipes. Philadelphia: La Maison Delan, n.d.
Leroux. The Cordial Touch. New York: Leroux, n.d.
Long, C. and Kibbey, H. Cooking with Liqueurs. Portland, OR: Sibyl, 2005.
Maker’s Mark Cooking Recipes. (Website) Excellent source of online liquor recipes.
Didn’t learn this in school!
George Washington was his country’s first large distiller.
Mandarine. Mandarine Napoléon for all Seasons. Drinks, Cocktails & Recipes. Brussels: Fourcroy, 1990.
Middleton, Q. Collection of Luscious Desserts Prepared with Liquors & Liqueurs. Middleton, 1990.
Neuman, R. Cooking with Spirits. Chicago: Reilly & Lee, 1991.
Peters, D. Cooking with Beer, Wine, Liquor and Liqueurs. Somerville, NJ: Peters, 2008.
Purvis, K. Bourbon: A Savor the South Cookbook. Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 2013.
Rose, J. The Vodka Cookbook. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006.
Ross, J. Liqueured Fruit. Knoxville, Vic: Five Mile, 1994.
Sazarac Co. Grander Recipes for Food and Drink. New Orleans: Sazarac, n.d.
Seelig, D. and Liles, J. Beyond the Glass: Bourbon Recipes. Seelig, 2018.
Nor did you learn this in school!
Abraham Lincoln sold liquor before he became president. His 1833 liquor store license is at the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History.
Nor did you learn this in school!
Abraham Lincoln sold liquor before he became president. His 1833 liquor store license is at the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History.
Schmid, A. The Kentucky Bourbon Cookbook. Lexington: U Press Kentucky, 2010.
Staten, V. Jack Daniel’s Old Time Barbecue Cookbook. Louisville: Sulgrave, 1991.
Toliver, S. 10 Ways to Use Alize Liqueur (Cooking Recipe Book). London: Enrico, 2015.
Tolley, L. and Merrell, M. Jack Daniel’s Cookbook. Nashville: Nelson, 2012.
Tolley, L. and Nelson, T. Jack Daniel’s Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook. Nashville: Nelson, 2009.
Van Wyk, M. Cook with Brandy. Capetown: Human & Rousseau, 1992.
Walton, S. and Miller, N. Spirits & Liqueurs in the Kitchen. London: Lorenz, 2008.
More Trivia for Cooking with Spirits
Wine Trivia: How Much Do You Know about Wine?
Beer trivia: Discover Fun Beer Trivia to Share with Friends.
Alcoholic Beverages Trivia and Fun Facts (Ales to Zombies).
Alcohol Word Trivia. Fun with Alcohol Words and Letters.
MUCH MORE TRIVIA! Visit Alcohol Trivia Resources (& Links to Alcohol Trivia).