Liquor in the back....

December 21, 2005 8:54 AM

I'd like to get my uncle a nice and/or unique liqueur for Christmas. Does anyone have any suggestions for good liqueurs or good liquor stores in the Annapolis area where something like that could be acquired?
posted by emptybowl to Food & Drink (31 answers total)

Do you have any idea what he has now or likes?
posted by mendel at 9:05 AM on December 21, 2005

Also: Budget?
posted by mendel at 9:05 AM on December 21, 2005

I'm not massively fond of liqueurs other than as cocktail ingredients, but can probably suggest a few interesting ones. Key thing: where does your uncle fall on the sweet & sickly versus bitter & medicinal axis?

Frangelico is interesting if you want to get something sweet - it's an Italian hazlenut liqueur, and is very aromatic. On the other end of the scale, then you might look at some of the interesting digestifs: I really like a Sicilian brand called Averna, which tastes a little like Campari but with more caramel and less orange - you drink a small measure in the bottom of a big red wine glass after a meal. Things like Fernet Branca are interesting too, although an acquired taste.

Can't help you with shops though.
posted by bifter at 9:09 AM on December 21, 2005 [1 favorite]

Becherovka tastes like Christmas.
posted by Hlewagast at 9:13 AM on December 21, 2005

Goldschlager? It's nicely cinnamonish, and you can't beat consuming real gold for intestinal blingworthiness.
posted by fish tick at 9:20 AM on December 21, 2005

I've had great experience with old port in crowds with wildly diverse alchohol tastes. Graham's 30 year is spectacular for the price.

For real schnapps-style liqueur, I'd second Frangelico. Pimm's #1 Cup is also great with 7-up (it's a bit like Seagram's 7, but with a smoother flavor) for that English flair. You can get both those at Beverages and More.

And you can't go wrong with Bailey's. Especially floated over butterscotch schnapps ("buttery nipple").
posted by jwadhams at 9:23 AM on December 21, 2005

If you haven't tried it, I'd suggest limoncello as a nice gift. It's an italian sweet lemon-flavored apertif type thing. It makes a great dessert served chilled, and you can also use it in lieu of triple sec/grand marnier/orange liquers for mixed drinks. you can find it at bevmo, italian markets, and some grocery stores. Depending on the brand, the bottles can be really pretty too, which is always nice.
posted by booknerd at 9:38 AM on December 21, 2005

Response by poster: Budget: I'd say no more than $20-30

Taste: My uncle is mainly into wine, but he has an extensive liquor cabinet and enjoys experimenting, especially with after-dinner drinks, like port or liqueurs.

All these suggestions so far are good.
posted by emptybowl at 9:39 AM on December 21, 2005

How about creme de cassis? If you aren't familliar, it is a balck currant liquer that can be served alone or in a variety of mixed drinks. A cassis-milk is one of my winter favorites. It can be found in most liquor stores, but the best kind will be imported from France.
posted by Alison at 9:44 AM on December 21, 2005

Drambuie. It's made from whiskey and it's tasty.
posted by nyterrant at 9:51 AM on December 21, 2005

I'm with mendel, I need likes, what he's got (including liquors and liqueurs) and budget info!!
posted by Pollomacho at 9:58 AM on December 21, 2005

Benedictine and Brandy. Chartreuse, Chambord. I love limoncello too, though I associate it with summer picnics. Cassis is wonderful. Ditto Pimm's Cups. Sloe gin fizzes are a summery drink, but sloe gin is very pretty. I'm still a sucker for port, which doesn't really fit, but mm...
posted by ifjuly at 10:02 AM on December 21, 2005

Oops, On Re-view...

If he's into wines, why not something related such as Benedictine, Brandy or Sherry?

How about a pear eau-de-vie (pear brandy) with the pear grown right in the bottle?
posted by Pollomacho at 10:03 AM on December 21, 2005

You might try Calvados, which is apple brandy. It's a fine after dinner drink. You do get what you pay for, and I personally enjoy the Boulard label.

Also on the brandy front, you could try Kirschwasser (cherry brandy). Stay away from the French varieties, favoring Swiss or German. Etter makes some fabulous Kirsch, but it's hard to find in the US. Schladerer (sp?) is a pretty good second. Kamer in a pinch.

I also like Grand Marnier, but mostly for cooking.

If you had a time machine (maybe next year), you could make your own (it takes about a month) by putting a fifth of vodka a cup of sugar and a pint of your facorite berries into a crock. Cover and give a swish every week for a month.
posted by plinth at 10:12 AM on December 21, 2005

Chartreuse would indeed be quite a treat. Also, Godiva makes a nice compliment of chocolate liquers, if your uncle likes chocolate. I think they do both a milk and dark chocolate variety.
posted by baphomet at 10:16 AM on December 21, 2005

I'm late, but I recommend Limoncello as well.

Bay Ridge Wine might have it. Giolitti's is probably a better bet (Off of west st.) or Italian Market (Defense highway). Giolittis has all sorts of stuff that might be nice as a food/bev gift.

For Wine, Mills (downtown) or The Wine Cellar (Forest near Spa). The Wine Cellar has some nice ports. not many, though. Mills might be better for port. Or if you go to Bay Ridge W&S, ask for Pete. He'll help you.

Does he drink Cofffee? Caffe Pronto has a good selection of beans.

I actually saw a recipe for Limoncello the other day in the paper. IIRC it take about 2 months to make. Perhaps you could give the ingredients and the instructions? Or an IOU. ;)

You might consider venturing into DC, as there are probably better options for exotic elixers, though I can't think of any stores in particular off the top of my head.

If he's daring, you could give Soju or Sake.

Russia House (Florida near Dupont Circle) serves amazing Vodkas. You could go and sample and get a rec or two from them.
posted by shoepal at 10:25 AM on December 21, 2005

Having just returned from Italy, I'd like to chime in for Limon / Limoncello as well. It's sold on every corner in Europe. I'm hooked on the stuff.
posted by vaportrail at 10:33 AM on December 21, 2005

I bought my sister a bottle of rompope, which is apparently a Mexican eggnog-ish drink (I bought it because of the great St. Clara label on the bottle, because my sister is a religion dork. It will go nicely with the Jesus alarm clock).

I haven't tried it yet, though. It looks slightly scary, in an Advocaat way.
posted by ruby.aftermath at 10:46 AM on December 21, 2005

Besides all of the good responses for liqeurs, I would also suggest a Tokay (Tokaj) if he is a fan of wine.
It is a sweet wine that is the product of the noble rot.
It can be a nice after dinner drink, similar to port.

Your price range should get a decent one. Not great, but decent. A good liquor or wine shop should have a few. Central Market and Whole Foods usually carry a few types here in Austin.
posted by Seamus at 10:49 AM on December 21, 2005

I'll second Calvados, and just as stated, the price does reflects quality. I'd imagine you can get decent quality for $30. The fumes are great to breath in.

I have fond memories of drinking it in Caen
posted by edgeways at 10:55 AM on December 21, 2005

Here's that Limoncello recipe I mentioned. (WaPo) Looks like it takes 5 weeks or so. (the first two being the hard ones, the last 3 just require twice daily agitation. The gift that keeps on giving!)
posted by shoepal at 11:38 AM on December 21, 2005

booknerd: "If you haven't tried it, I'd suggest limoncello as a nice gift. It's an italian sweet lemon-flavored apertif type thing. It makes a great dessert served chilled, and you can also use it in lieu of triple sec/grand marnier/orange liquers for mixed drinks. you can find it at bevmo, italian markets, and some grocery stores. Depending on the brand, the bottles can be really pretty too, which is always nice."

Trader Joe's has a passable limoncello along with a great limoncello pound cake. Get him two apertif glasses with it, too. A+++ WOULD RECOMMEND
posted by kcm at 11:51 AM on December 21, 2005

Talea is an amaretto cream from Italy that's really tasty on the rocks. You could also serve it in coffee or over ice cream.
posted by phoenixc at 12:06 PM on December 21, 2005

Amarula - it's cream liqueur from a South African fruit that ferments naturally on the tree and (supposedly) gets elephants drunk. Very sweet, good drizzled on ice cream or baked into things.
posted by casarkos at 2:16 PM on December 21, 2005

When I was in college in Annapolis, Mill's at the City Dock was the place to go for amusing liqueurs.
posted by hydropsyche at 2:40 PM on December 21, 2005

If you're Lakka virgin, try it. Yule see!
*discreet retching*
posted by rob511 at 4:31 PM on December 21, 2005

I was going to suggest Cointreau, the king of triple secs (No, not Grand Marnier), but you said 20-30... so I'm just going to suggest Yager.
posted by mhuckaba at 4:33 PM on December 21, 2005

The two best ever, Frangelico (Look for the Mrs. Butterworth's bottle) and Chambord. A lot of liquors have a medicine taste, but not these two. Chartreuse is fun.
posted by phewbertie at 2:27 AM on December 22, 2005

Oh, and further on the location question, you are only half an hour from DC where there are tons of snobby drunks, thus tons of liquor stores with wide varieties of unusual drinks!
posted by Pollomacho at 6:58 AM on December 22, 2005

I completely second Becherovka. Never met anyone who didn't like it.
posted by audrey the bug at 10:06 AM on December 22, 2005

Amontillado!
posted by gilgul at 6:44 PM on December 22, 2005