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Buyer's guide

The high price of herbal liqueurs reflects the care with which they are made. Strega and Galliano are available from specialist drinks retailers.

Storage

Herbal liqueurs keep quite well and the higher the alcoholic strength, the better the keeping qualities. The flavour may begin to suffer with very long-term storage (more than one year).

Preparation

Herbal liqueurs such as Chartreuse and Bénédictine are classic digestifs and are also good in cocktails, such as the Singapore Sling. The flavour of herbal liqueurs varies a great deal, so if a cocktail recipe calls for a particular liqueur, it’s best to stick to that specific drink.

For example, Strega should not be used as a substitute for Galliano in cocktail recipes but the two can be used interchangeably in cakes and desserts, although the final flavour will differ.