Chambord liqueur: history, overview, production technology + 5 cocktail recipes
Chambord liqueur - is a 16.5% raspberry and berry liqueur, modeled after the liqueur produced in the Loire Valley in France at the end of the 17th century. The Chambord trademark has been owned and manufactured by Brown-Forman since 2006.
Also, this liqueur has a more complete name Chambord Liqueur Royale de France, but it is used extremely rarely.
Chambord liqueur is made from red and black raspberries, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey and cognac.
History of Chambord liqueur
The Chambord trademark was founded in 1982. But long before that, at the end of 1600, Louis XIV visited the French Château de Chambord, one of the most famous buildings of the Renaissance, and was presented with a local drink made from wild blackberries and raspberries during a banquet.
The king liked the drink, and he ordered to reveal all the subtleties of its preparation. And since then, a simple homemade liqueur has become a royal liqueur and was named in honor of the Chateau de Chambord.
Almost 400 years later, an American, N.G. Sky Cooper, decided to immigrate to France and settled not far from Chambord Castle. And after he had the honor of tasting this liqueur, he learned the recipe, the technology of preparation and launched large-scale production, which made it possible to reduce the cost and taste this amazing liqueur throughout France.
And soon the whole world was talking about the divine taste of Chambord liqueur. Today, Chambord is produced near the French chateau La Sistiere in the Loire Valley, just 20 kilometers from Chambord Castle.
Chambord liqueur is available in a spherical bottle. Until mid-2010, the bottle was decorated with a metallic golden inscription in the form of a belt around the entire bottle and a crown on its cap. The bottle was modeled in the form of Cruciger Globus. In the US market, the manufacturer began to use a different bottle design in the summer of 2010 with modifications to the belt, cap and other elements. The bottle has become more modern. In addition to redesigning the bottle for traditional Chambord liqueur, the producer also started using the Chambord brand for vodka, with a strength of 37.5%.
Technology of Chambord liqueur production
Selected blackberries and raspberries are sent under a press and the juice is squeezed out, then French high-quality alcohol is added and infused for 4 weeks. A month later, the alcohol components are added for the second time and allowed to brew for another 2 weeks.
Then the berries are pressed again to get 100% natural juice and sugar. And only after that, cognac, aromatic spices, citrus peel, herbs and honey are added to the berry alcohol tincture.
And at the last stage, the Master Blender brings the liquor to the desired taste and in this form it gets into bottles and on store shelves.
It should be noted that each new batch may have different flavors.
Interesting facts about Chambord liqueur
The bottle for Chambord liqueur was invented by the Bustanobi brothers back in 1904. They opened the world's first "Ladies Bar" inside their restaurant in New York. Women were allowed to enter the establishment without a male escort. Louis Bustanobi invented a special liqueur for ladies - Forbidden Fruin.
The liqueur contained grapefruit, orange and brandy, and honey, vanilla and other spices were used as flavor additives.
The liquor was sold in a spherical bottle with a crown.
After Prohibition, the brothers' business began to lose money, and the liquor was produced by an American company until the 1960s, when it was discontinued. But the bottle continued to exist. And it was this royal bottle that was used for Chambord liqueur.
How to drink Chambord liqueur
Chambord liqueur is one of the few liqueurs that should be drunk at room temperature without adding ice, not chilled.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the liquor is drunk in small sips, savoring how the whole flavor bouquet is revealed.
The liqueur also goes well in cocktails.
Cocktail Eclipse
Ingredients
Chambord liqueur - 10 ml
Jack Daniels whiskey - 10 ml
Lemon juice - 10 ml
Cranberry juice - 20 ml
Ice
A slice of lemon
The method of preparation
Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake well.
Serve the cocktail chilled in a cocktail glass with a lemon slice.
Chambord and Champagne cocktail
Ingredients
Chambord liqueur - 50 ml
Champagne - 120 ml
Lemon juice - 5 ml
Raspberries - 2 pieces
The method of preparation
Pour liqueur, chilled champagne and lemon juice into the bottom of the flute glass.
Garnish with raspberries or two ice cubes with frozen raspberries when serving.
Chambord Bramble cocktail
Ingredients
Chambord liqueur - 20 ml
Gin - 40 ml
Lemon juice - 20 ml
With sugar syrup - 15 ml
Crushed ice
A slice of lemon
Method of preparation
Mix crushed ice, gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a shaker.
Pour the contents of the shaker into a rocks glass and add crushed ice in a slide, then pour the liqueur.
Garnish with a slice of lemon and insert a straw when serving.
La Cabana cocktail
Ingredients
Chambord liqueur - 13 ml
White rum - 40 ml
Lime juice - 13 ml
Apple juice - 75 ml
Ice
Apple slice
A slice of lime
Method of preparation
Add ice to a highball glass, add rum, lime juice, apple juice and mix well, then add liqueur.
When serving, garnish with a slice of apple and lime, insert a straw and a stick.
Find out the recipe raspberry liqueur.
Update: 16.10.2017
Category: Liqueurs and Tinctures