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We tried 25 liqueurs and these are the best for the Easter bank holiday

Who needs chocolate when you have these bottles in your cocktail cabinet?

VerifiedTested by GHI Food & Drink Tester
best liqueurs

Proving there's more to indulgent liqueurs than Baileys, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been hard at work testing all the latest releases, including delicious dessert-inspired drinks, featuring the flavours of black forest gateau, tiramisu and more.

Best liqueurs for Easter 2025

Liqueurs are the perfect way to round off your Easter feast. Read on for more expert-rated reviews for the long weekend: Best Easter eggs | Best hot cross buns | Best chocolate gifts | Best Easter roasts | Best Easter seafood | Best meat-free Easter mains

What is a liqueur?

Sweet and oh-so-indulgent, liqueurs typically have a lower ABV of around 15-20% (as opposed to a straight spirit such as gin, which will be upwards of 40%), making them ideal drunk neat or over ice.

These days, there’s so much more than Irish cream to choose from too — new, innovative flavours are inspired by comforting desserts, seasonal spices and plenty of chocolate.

To make it in front of our expert panel, we were looking for easy-drinking concoctions that worked well as a post-dinner treat, either served alongside dessert or mixed into creative cocktails.

And with prices starting from just £7.99 a bottle, they can also make a thoughtful yet inexpensive gift for your host.

How we test liqueurs

To find the best liqueurs, our panel of 10 WSET-trained experts and consumers tried 25 tasty flavours from the leading supermarkets and brands. They were looking for a well-balanced, easy-drinking liqueur they’d be proud to serve at the end of a meal. All products were served chilled and blind to prevent brand bias.

As well as our favourite liqueurs, the Good Housekeeping Institute also tested the best champagne, best prosecco, best sherry and best port to keep your drinks trolley well stocked this Easter.

1
Best vegan liqueur

Adriatico Amaretto Bianco

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Amaretto Bianco

Score: 94/100

Made from crushed white almonds, this Italian liqueur is like a boozy almond milk — and entirely vegan too!

Testers loved the bold flavour, which incorporates notes of marzipan, and found the sweetness perfectly in check. It feels lighter than some of the others we tested, making it a wonderfully versatile addition to your drinks trolley.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV16%
2
Best cream liqueur

Cotswolds Cream Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Cream Liqueur

Score: 90/100

Known for its wildflower gins and single-malt English whiskies, the Cotswolds Distillery has combined the later with Irish cream to create a liqueur reminiscent of Werther's Originals.

It’s not overly thick, which allows for the alcohol to create a more mature flavour profile.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV17%
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3
Best Irish whiskey cream liqueur

Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Irish Cream Liqueur

Score: 87/100

Made using a triple-distilled Irish whiskey and a rich cream from County Cork, our testers loved the inviting aromas of butterscotch, vanilla and fresh cream with a hint of coffee beans.

The sweetness is pleasingly subtle compared to some other cream liqueurs, with the wonderfully buttery flavours of caramel balanced by mild bitter notes of butterscotch.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV17%
4
Best chocolate liqueur

Hotel Chocolat Black Forest Gateau Chocolate Cream Velvetised

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Black Forest Gateau Chocolate Cream Velvetised

Score: 87/100

Hotel Chocolat's much-loved Velvetised Cream line-up is pure indulgence, and this Black Forest gateau version wowed our panel. The nostalgic dessert flavour is very distinctive here, with chocolate and sweet, black cherry notes, on top of a vodka base.

It's the perfect creamy tipple for those with a sweet tooth and would be just as delicious in a hot chocolate as it is over ice.

Key specifications

Volume50cl
ABV12%
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5
Best supermarket liqueur

Lidl County Creams Tiramisu

UK Taste Approved(GH)
County Creams Tiramisu

Score: 87/100

Inspired by the creamy Italian dessert, Lidl’s liqueur combines chocolate, coffee and cream, with just a whisper of caramel. Described as tasting like an “iced frappuccino with an alcoholic hit”, this rich and indulgent drink is velvety smooth, and the perfect Easter lunch digestif.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV12%
6
Best white chocolate cream liqueur

Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Irish Cream Liqueur

Score: 86/100

Reminding testers of vanilla ice cream, Coole Swan is made with single malt Irish whiskey, Belgium white chocolate and cream. The smooth spirit has notes of marzipan and almonds too, and would make an excellent mudslide cocktail.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV16%
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7
Best organic liqueur

Walcher Biostilla Amaretto Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Biostilla Amaretto Liqueur

Score: 83/100

Unlike some high street alternatives, this amaretto liqueur is made with natural almond oil to create that nutty marzipan taste and is completely free of artificial flavourings.

This means the flavour is beautifully balanced, authentic and natural, with a sweet vanilla finish. One tester thought it would make a lovely gift for the foodie in your life, while another said it would be “a delightful way to round off a meal when hosting”.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV28%
8

Mozart Chocolate Cream Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Chocolate Cream Liqueur

Score: 81/100

Liqueurs don’t get much more decadent than this. Super thick and creamy, the alcohol is subtle, with just a touch of vanilla, making it perfect for choctails. We’d serve this one over plenty of ice or drizzled over ice-cream.

Key specification

Volume50cl
ABV17%
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9

Daylesford Cold Brew Espresso Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Cold Brew Espresso Liqueur

Score: 81/100

Made with organic cold brew coffee and vanilla, Daylesford’s small batch liqueur has beautiful hints of chocolate and warming spice. A handy pre-mixed espresso martini, ready for entertaining, simply shake over ice for a frothy top.

Volume35cl
ABV25%
10

Lucky Sod Liqueur with Irish Whiskey

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Liqueur with Irish Whiskey

Score: 81/100

Brighter on the palate than the nose suggests, you can expect notes of toffee, butterscotch and sweet whiskey — minus the cream. Equally delicious as a stand-alone after-dinner sipper, as it would be in hot drinks.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV29%
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11
Best gingerbread-flavoured liqueur

Tesco Finest Gingerbread Latte Cream Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Finest Gingerbread Latte Cream Liqueur

Score: 81/100

Forget dunking your biscuit into your latte, Tesco has done it for us with this subtly sweet, boozy treat. Testers enjoyed the caramalised taste and warming ginger kick.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV17%
12
Best value liqueur

Aldi Ballycastle Limited Edition White Chocolate

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Aldi Ballycastle Limited Edition White Chocolate

Score: 80/100

Aldi’s Bailey’s dupe has seen many iterations, and here at the GHI, we’re always excited to see what limited-edition flavour will be released next.

White chocolate is this season’s simple update, with notes of sweet vanilla and malted milk biscuits. The result is creamy, but not too heavy, and not overly alcoholic.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV12%
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13

Gordon's Sugar Plum Gin Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Sugar Plum Gin Liqueur

Score: 76/100

This vibrant purple concoction from Gordon’s looks like a magic potion – which could result in some interesting looking cocktails! Flavour-wise, it reminded testers of sour berry candies – super sweet and mouth-puckeringly acidic.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV20%
14
Best rum cream liqueur

Bumbu Cream Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Bumbu Cream Liqueur

Score: 76/100

Combining Caribbean rum with cream and a selection of spices, testers enjoyed the sweet aromas of fruity, milky toffee with fresh banana. They felt the flavour combination worked well – very creamy, buttery notes paired with lightly woody rum flavours of coconut and banana.

Sip neat over ice or add to a piña colada for a decadent cocktail.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV15%
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15

Bouvery CV Chocolate Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Chocolate Liqueur

Score: 76/100

Super rich and decadent, this premium chocolate liqueur is so thick it’s practically dessert. Made with gluten-free vodka and organic cocoa, it perfectly replicates the flavour of a champagne truffle.

We don’t blame you if you pour it straight over ice cream; however, it would also make an excellent dessert all by itself.

Key specifications

Volume35cl
ABV16%
16
Best hazelnut liqueur

Quaglia Liquore di Nocciola

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Liquore di Nocciola

Score: 76/100

Spanning the full breadth of hazelnut flavour — from fresh, young nuts through to a more rich and robust, toasted flavour profile – Quaglia is a more sophisticated take on your beloved Nutella. It’s a little syrupy, so would work a treat over ice cream or in a cocktail.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV25%
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17

Baileys Chocolat Luxe Liqueur

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Chocolat Luxe Liqueur

Score: 75/100

If you’re a fan of Baileys original (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), the addition here of dark Belgium chocolate only adds to the enjoyment. Despite its thick texture, the chocolate is bold, and the alcohol adds a pleasant kick. Serve over ice to bring out the intensity.

Key specifications

Volume50cl
ABV16%
18
Best charity initiative

Amarula Cream

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Cream

Score: 72/100

This distinctive South African spirit is made from the native marula fruit, which is hand harvested by local women. Not as thick as Baileys but just as creamy, it has a butterscotch note and a fresh fruity finish that’s just as delicious over ice at the end of a meal as it is in cocktails.

What’s more, Amarula finds multiple ways to give back to the local community, including sharing a percentage of profits with elephant orphanage HERD, and by including a locally made tassel on every bottle.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV17%
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19

Disaronno Velvet

UK Taste Approved(GH)
Velvet
Now 15% Off

Score: 72/100

Disaronno Velvet has all the spicy, marzipan notes we love from the original Italian amaretto liqueur, but on a velvety, creamy base. What’s not to love? Serve over plenty of ice or add a splash to coffee.

Key specifications

Volume70cl
ABV17%
Headshot of Georgia Turnell
Tested byGeorgia Turnell
GHI Food & Drink Tester

Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.

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