Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur (16.5%)

Chambord's packaging tells a story of 17th-century French royalty — its spherical bottle modelled after a medieval globus cruciger, evoking a raspberry liqueur supposedly served to Louis XIV during a visit to the Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley. The truth is a little more recent: the modern liqueur was created in 1982 by American entrepreneur Norton "Sky" Cooper, inspired by a local raspberry liqueur he encountered while travelling through the region.

Whatever its true age, the liqueur itself is genuinely luxurious: black raspberries and blackberries infused twice over several weeks, then blended with Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey, and cognac for a rich, velvety character with real depth.

The essential ingredient in a French Martini, or a beautiful addition to Champagne for a Kir Impérial.