Liquor Vs Liqueur: What's the difference? Liquor is a term commonly used for spirits such as whisky, vodka, rum or gin. It is made from plants or grains that are fermented and then distilled. Liquor is never brewed and it can be used as a base for cocktails or enjoyed neat and on the rocks. Liqueur, on the other hand, is flavoured and sweetened liquor made from adding flavours and spices to a base spirit. They contain nearly 100 gms/litre of sugar and come in a range of flavours like coffee (Kah