Most people focus on the main course when going outside for dinner. However, there are other pieces to the puzzle.
If you wish to have the most pleasant evening, you’ll have to think about a few more things. For example, after-dinner drinks called digestifs will help settle your stomach after a heavy meal.
And, you might be happy to hear that these sipping drinks are usually alcoholic beverages.
Luckily, we’ve gathered all the best ones in this article and will let you know more about them and their flavor. We’ll mention the origins, exciting history, and how some of these drinks are made.
So, wait no more and check out our list of the best after-dinner liqueur.
The habit of having digestif liqueur after a feast at a restaurant may not be that common in the US. However, Europe still holds this long tradition.
Some believe it is because of the message these after-dinner drinks should send. People should enjoy simple things like camaraderie, sitting down at a table, having a meal, and making a toast with friends.
But what kind of drinks are most suited to be digestifs?
Most often, your post-dinner digestif will be a drink consumed in small quantities. More often than not, it will be a sweet liquor. And, it may be served with coffee or espresso.
When it comes to specific types of alcohol, you can expect anything from whiskey and vermouth to limoncello and amaro. So, don’t be surprised that what you’re having as after-dinner drinks was once an aperitif.
Check out our list of the best after-dinner liqueur to better understand what digestif drinks are and how to enjoy them.
Let’s start with something Italian. Sambuca is a spirit drink from Italy that you’ll often find as a digestif liqueur.
Nowadays, it may be famous for flaming shots, but it represented Italy’s “La dolce vita” lifestyle once upon a time.
The alcohol percentage is nothing to mess around with since sambuca has a legal minimum of 38%. Usually, you’ll find bottles with around 40% alcohol.
Technically, there is no particular way to drink sambuca. And, most Italians believe that you’ll discover your own way to enjoy it after a few drinks.
Typically, as a digestif, you’ll have it served with espresso coffee.
As we mentioned, the US isn’t where digestif drinks originate from, so you’ll see many foreign beverages on the list. Another one from the bunch is Pacharán.
Naturally, you’re wondering what Pacharán is and how it’s made.
This drink is a liqueur made from blackthorn or sloe bush berries. The wild berries grow in the northern parts of Spain, where Pacharán is mainly produced and consumed.
The alcohol isn’t as present as in some other digestifs, but you’ll still find a solid 25% in most Pacharán bottles.
The drink itself is very old, dating back to the middle ages. Though it was once only used for medicinal purposes, it’s slowly becoming more popular with bartenders. So, don’t be surprised if you see it in some cocktails as well as a digestif liqueur.
Pacharán has quite an intense flavor. Most people enjoy the fruity aroma it brings and the long-lasting effect it has on the palate. To obtain it, serving Pacharán with ice isn’t recommended. This would water down the liqueur and not be as enjoyable.
We’ll go a bit more to the East to find the best after-dinner liqueur this time.
China’s baijiu is the world’s most popular liquor by volume. In fact, its annual outputs are greater than vodka and whisky combined. So, it’s fair to say this drink is quite popular in China.
It’s derived in many different regions of the country, and naturally, as a product of being so widespread, many different types exist.
Most commonly, baijiu is distilled from sorghum. However, it’s not surprising to find the same drink made from wheat, corn, and rice.
A drink with such a long tradition and great popularity naturally has had many names throughout history. During the times of Imperial China, it was referred to as shaojiu, which means burnt wine.
Nowadays, the name baijiu is what you’re most likely to hear. It translates to white spirits in contrast to “yellow wine,” the name for Chinese fermented grain drinks, huangjiu.
A drink made from about 20 herbs and spices should be a good choice as a digestive aid, right? That’s why Becherovka is such a popular after-dinner drink in the Czech Republic.
And the history of Becherovka is as complex as its recipe.
The drink was invented by none other than Josef Vitus Becher, a businessman and, more importantly, a pharmacist. It was sold as a remedy for stomach illnesses in 1807, but the popularity grew following the prohibition.
The drink was unfortunately limited in the 1940s. And the descendant of the founder was forced to disclose the recipes to the regime. Only back in the 1990s was Becherovka privatized again.
When it comes to the flavor, most would say that this drink has a blast. With so many herbs in the mix, Becherovka will give you a sweet and forward taste.
Cloves and cinnamon may be the most recognizable flavors, but you’ll have to take a sip and see for yourself.
Maybe you haven’t expected to see balsamic vinegar on the best digestifs list, but here it is. Though it may be surprising, balsamic is a great option for a non-alcoholic after-dinner drink.
And, if you’re using the vinegar made in Reggio Emilia, or the Modena region of Italy, you can’t go wrong.
The drink is made with the highest quality grape juice and appropriately fermented in wooden barrels.
There are multiple health advantages to including balsamic vinegar in your diet. It’s diabetes-friendly, improves blood circulation, supports weight loss, and because of the probiotic bacteria, it helps your gut health.
The tangy flavor of vinegar will pair well with dark chocolate, so if possible, that’s the way to consume this digestif.
Of course, don’t go overboard with it. Drinking too much may inflame your throat or damage your esophagus.
Of course, we’re not going to leave you without a whiskey base digestif drink. Drambuie is a sweet liquor with a gold color and accents of Scottish heather honey. It’s produced in Scotland and known around the world.
The rusty nail cocktail is what increased its popularity throughout the years. And, the fact that it was the favorite drink of the Rat Pack didn’t hurt either.
If you wish to heave a high-quality meal in Florida and follow it up with an after-dinner digestif, come to Public Square. We’re in the heart of Coral Gables and are looking forward to serving you a great meal and the perfect drink paired with it.
Visit us and see why we’re so popular in this part of the world.
