Maple liqueur facts for kids

Maple liqueur is a special drink made from maple syrup. You'll find it mostly in places like the Northeast United States and Canada. It's usually made by mixing Canadian rye whiskey with Canadian maple syrup. Maple liqueur is seen as an important part of the culture at some Canadian festivals.

In Canadian French, this type of drink is called eau de vie d'érable.

History of Maple Liqueur

Maple Syrup Production

Maple liqueur is a traditional part of Canadian cuisine. This is because its main ingredients are Canadian whisky and Canadian maple syrup. Both of these ingredients have their own interesting history in Canada. For example, maple syrup was also used to make maple sap beer in places like Vermont. People in Canada have been mixing alcohol with maple syrup for a long time. Today, companies that make maple liqueur still use these traditional methods.

The Story of Canadian Maple Syrup

Maple syrup

Long before Europeans came to Canada, First Nations people in North America were already making maple syrup. They would collect maple sap to help preserve meat. Later, Canadian settlers learned how to collect sap from the First Nations people. They would boil the sap to create sweet maple syrup. Settlers often drilled small holes into maple trees. Then, they would hang a bucket underneath to catch the sap.

The maple leaf is a famous symbol of Canadian culture. You can even see it on the Canadian flag! Even today, maple syrup is often added to different liqueur blends. Modern ways of collecting sap use tubes that connect many maple trees. The sap then flows into a large storage tank. It is then boiled down using a special machine called an evaporator. The basic idea of making syrup hasn't changed. However, modern tools make the process much easier. Canada makes about 71% of all the pure maple syrup in the world. Most of this, about 91%, comes from Quebec.

The Story of Canadian Whisky

Canadian whisky is a type of alcohol made from grains. It must be aged in special burnt oak barrels for at least three years. This way of making whisky started with Scottish settlers. They brought their traditions with them from overseas. The main ingredient in Canadian whisky is corn. However, rye grain is also important because it gives the whisky its unique taste. Today, there are many different brands of Canadian whisky available. Whisky usually has an alcohol content of about 40% to 50%.

How Maple Liqueur is Made

Maple liqueur is not often sold in stores because it's quite easy to make at home! The process is simple and you don't need any special tools. Making your own maple liqueur is both easy and cheap. You can enjoy it on its own, mix it with coffee, or use it in different drinks.

To make maple liqueur, you need a base alcohol. This is usually rye whiskey. The only other ingredient you need is pure maple syrup. You cannot use "table syrup" for this. Table syrup is often made with high fructose corn syrup and fake flavors. It doesn't contain real maple.

Maple syrup comes in different grades. The grade depends on its color, how clear it is, its thickness, and how strong its maple flavor is. As the sap is collected later in the season, the maple syrup becomes darker. These darker syrups also have the strongest maple flavor. Lighter syrups, made earlier in the season, have a milder taste. Darker syrups make a more intense maple flavor in the liqueur. Because of this, they are often preferred for making maple liqueur. The darker the syrup you use, the richer and fuller the liqueur will taste.

The process of making maple liqueur is very simple. You combine equal amounts of rye whiskey and pure maple syrup. Put them in a jar that you can seal tightly. Mix them well. Then, let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least two weeks. You can also add other spices or ingredients for different flavors. Some people add glycerin, honey, or brown sugar. Just like with other aged drinks, the longer you let it sit, the better the final product usually tastes. After this time, your maple liqueur is ready to enjoy!

As mentioned, it's not very common to find commercially made maple liqueurs. This is because they are so easy to make at home. However, they have become more popular since the early 2010s. For example, Crown Royal, a well-known whiskey brand, released its Crown Royal Maple Finished whiskey in 2013. Other types of maple liqueurs also exist. Cream liqueurs are the second most common type. For instance, Cabot Trail Maple Cream mixes pure maple syrup with rum, other alcohols, and fresh cream. Sortilège is another popular Canadian brand from Montreal. They make three different maple liqueurs: Sortilège Whisky, Sortilège Prestige, and Sortilège Cream.

How Maple Liqueur is Used

Maple liqueur can be mixed with other drinks to make cocktails. It also tastes great when added to coffee.

Maple Liqueur in Drinks

Canadian Immigrant Shooter

This drink is a shooter. It has equal parts of Kahlúa, butterscotch liqueur, and maple liqueur. These ingredients are usually mixed in a small glass. Then, you can have a little warm maple syrup afterwards.

The Waffler Drink

This drink is popular at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. First, a teaspoon of maple syrup is put into the glass. This coats the sides of the glass. Then, maple liqueur and Bailey's Irish Cream are added to a shot glass. You use about 1.5 parts maple liqueur to 1 part Bailey's. If done correctly, the Bailey's Irish Cream should form a layer on top.

Maple Liqueur in Coffee

People often add Bailey's Irish Cream or Kahlua to coffee. As a more Canadian way to enjoy coffee, you can use maple liqueur instead. It adds a smooth, sweet maple flavor to your coffee.

Maple Cream Maple cream is also known as maple butter. It's a creamy spread that doesn't contain dairy. It's made by boiling maple syrup and then quickly cooling and stirring it. This process makes a light-colored cream with a smooth texture. You can spread it on toast, bagels, muffins, pancakes, and other baked goods.

Negus This is a warm drink. It's made by mixing 3 shots of Port, 1 shot of lemon juice, and a shot of Sugar Maple Liqueur. Hot water is then added to fill the glass. It's often garnished with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Maple Cream Ale Canadians enjoy this drink for its refreshing peppermint flavor. It's made with 1.5 ounces of Maple liqueur and 4 ounces of cream ale soda. You add ice and top it with a sprig of mint.

Popular Brands

• Sortilège, which offers whiskey, prestige, and cream versions.
• Crown Royal Maple Finished whiskey (released in 2013)
• Cabot Trail Maple Cream
• Tap 357 - Maple Rye Whisky