How to Flavour Spirits & Liqueurs

Add flavour to spirits and liqueurs using flavour concentrates, with simple techniques, dosage guidance and flavour ideas.

What you'll need

✦ A spirit base (vodka, gin, rum or another suitable distilled spirit)
✦ Flavour concentrate
✦ A clean bottle or mixing vessel
✦ Accurate measuring equipment

* Because flavour concentrates are highly concentrated, precise measuring makes it easier to build the flavour gradually.

Step-by-step guide

Build

Pour your chosen spirit, such as vodka, gin or rum, into a clean mixing vessel ready for flavour testing and recipe development.

Flavour

Start with a small amount of your chosen flavour concentrate. A typical starting point is 1–3% (1–3 ml), then adjust to taste.

Finish

Stir or shake until the concentrate is evenly incorporated. Taste after settling, then make final adjustments before serving or using in cocktails.

How much flavour concentrate should I use in spirits & liqueurs?

Start with 0.5–1% flavour concentrate, then adjust to taste. For a 100 mL spirit or liqueur base, that’s approximately 0.5–1 mL of concentrate.

Tips for best results

✦ Start with a small amount of flavour concentrate and adjust to taste.
✦ Try combining complementary flavours to create your own signature profile.
✦ Measure accurately for consistent results from batch to batch.
✦ Use a funnel for easy, mess-free bottling.

What flavours work well in spirits & liqueurs?

✦ Vanilla
✦ Raspberry
✦ Strawberry
✦ Coffee
✦ Cherry
✦ Lime
✦ Lemon
✦ Hibiscus
✦ Rose