Flavored liquor

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A variety of flavored vodkas. From left to right: raspberry, lemon, vanilla, mandarin/orange, and peach.

Flavored liquors are distilled alcoholic beverages with added flavorings. They are distinct from liqueurs in that liqueurs have a high sugar content, whereas flavored liquors contain no added sugar. They can either start with a base of white rum or vodka, both of which are known for having little taste of their own, or with a brandy, as is the case with Arak, which already has its own flavor. Flavoring is added at the distillery. The most expensive flavored liquors use essences of fruit much like a perfume would, except in larger quantities. A relatively new method introduced in the late 1990s involves sugar syrup and fruit extract.^{[citation needed]}

Flavored liquors include:

Absinthe (wormwood, anise, fennel, and other herbs)
Akvavit (caraway seeds, anise, dill, fennel, coriander, and grains of paradise)
Arak (anise)
Gin (juniper and other herbs)
Raki (anise)
Anise-flavored tsipouro [1][2]
Flavored vodkas (numerous flavors including lemon, lime, lemon-lime, orange, mandarin orange/orange, tangerine, grapefruit, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla, black currant, chile pepper, cherry, apple, cinnamon, coffee, chocolate, peach, pear, passion fruit, pomegranate, mango, banana, pineapple, coconut, mint, melon, rose, buffalo grass, and açaí)
Flavored rum originally consisted of spiced rums such as Captain Morgan. More recently, a wide range of flavors have been introduced, possibly inspired by the popularity of flavored vodkas. Available flavors include lemon, lime, orange, citrus, vanilla, and raspberry, and extend to such exotic flavors as mango, coconut, pineapple, banana, and watermelon.[3]
Flavored tequila (flavors include lime, orange/mandarin, mango, coconut, watermelon, strawberry, pomegranate, chili pepper, and coffee)
Bitters

Flavored rums and vodkas frequently have an alcohol content 10-20 proof lower than their straight spirit brothers. They also often contain a small amount of added sugar and are thus technically liqueurs, though the classification has been disputed both ways.^{[citation needed]}