Updated August 2026.
Liqueur is a TTB class. “Liquor” is bar English. US liqueur / cordial is a US type.150 — a flavored distilled spirit, usually 15% or more. Whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and brandy are other Part 5 classes. Baileys Original official US page prints 17%. Typical US whiskey or vodka is 40%. A 1.5-ounce pour at 17% is about 0.43 of one drink; at 40% it is one.
Related: cordial vs liqueur, schnapps vs liqueur, Baileys taste.
Word vs class
| Language | 1.5 oz drinks |
|---|---|
| Liqueur / cordial | Read the neck |
| “Liquor” | — |
| Baileys Original | 0.43 |
| Typical whiskey / vodka | 1.00 |
Wine “cordial” is a different label. Pour math: liqueur drinks.
Sources
- 27 CFR 5.141–5.156 classes. 5.150 liqueur/cordial.
- baileys.com US Original 17%. Typical 40% spirits. NIAAA December 2025.
- 27 CFR 5.150 (usually ≥15%)
- is 27 CFR 5