Dekuyper O3 Orange Liqueur

I have to admit a certain fascination with orange liqueur in all of its forms. As soon as I read about Cointreau, I knew I was on the right track. I’m a fan of citrus, and my tastes lean to the sweet side, so orange liqueur fits the bill. There really isn’t any tart in orange liqueurs (at least the ones I’ve tasted). It’s more of an essence of orange, and some are candy-like in the extreme.

So, I have a problem. I see a new orange liqueur, and, I want to try it. And so it was with DeKuyper O3. This is sold as the upscale version of their bottom shelf triple sec. It is listed as being made from “Brazilian Oranges”. It is less assertive in  a cocktail thank Gran Gala, but also has a more natural aroma.

Proof: 80  (40% ABV)

Paid: $17 (on sale) for 750ml

Buy Again: Maybe

DeKuyper Creme De Cacao

Dessert. Chocolate. Alcohol.

Chocolate. Alcohol. Dessert.

I was intrigued at the idea of a number of dessert cocktails. Mudslides and Grasshoppers, and Alexanders, oh my!

Creme de Cacao (labeled on my bottle as Creme de Cocoa) is a chocolate liqueur available in a clear version or a brown version. It smells like chocolate. It tastes like chocolate. The alcohol is very subdued, no doubt due to the sugar content. Did I mention it is sweet? Very sweet? A little goes a long way.

Honestly, it hasn’t gotten too much use so far. With winter coming, it may get more use.

Proof: 48 (24% ABV)

Paid: $10

Buy again: Yes (but not very often)

 

DeKuyper Blue Curacao

Let’s face it. Blue Curacao is used for adding blue color to drinks, because Windex isn’t safe to drink! In the DeKuyper bottling, there may be some fake orange flavor and a sweet component. But, it’s blue!

I have seen reviews of other brands that might be a little truer to an orange curacao, and less focused on the blue coloring.

Proof: 30 (15% ABV)

Paid: $ for 750ml

Buy again: Probably (I have blue drinks to make!)

DeKuyper Peachtree Peach Schnapps

Sometimes a product name says it all. Such is the case for DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps.

When you open the bottle, you are hit by the scent of fresh, very sweet peaches. A sip yields the same taste as the aroma suggests. Like many liqueurs, the lower ABV and the higher sugar content lessens the alcohol burn. It’s too sweet for me to sip much of it straight, and for me, that’s saying something.

Of course, with a component like this that has such a potent flavor, a cocktail can be overwhelmed and taste like nothing but peaches. Occasionally, it is necessary to reduce the amount in the mix to end up with a more balanced cocktail that lets the other flavors come through.

And let’s face it. You can’t have a fuzzy navel without it!

Proof: 60 (30% ABV)

Paid: $11 for 750ml

Buy again: Yes

DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker

Okay, I’m not proud of this. I saw ‘apple’ and thought, “that could be good”. I had heard of apple schnapps and was intrigued. I saw this and thought maybe this would do.

Nope. This was not a good idea. The taste is very tart and very artificial. I have tried to use it in a couple of cocktails and I’ve been disappointed each time. It is in another cabinet now, waiting for a purge, or for someone to come along and ask for something that uses it, and then we can both be disappointed.

I’m still searching for that real apple schnapps.

Proof: 30 (15% ABV)

Paid: $11 for 750ml

Buy again: No