Glasses of coffee on a wooden table with ice cubes scattered around, set in a dark setting.

Liqueur

Got a homemade limoncello that could knock the socks off Nonna? A spiced coffee liqueur smoother than jazz on a Sunday? The NZ Home Brewers Competition is calling all creative spirit-makers to show us what’s in their bottles.

The Liqueur Category is open to all styles — sweet, spiced, creamy, herbal, citrusy, or completely out-of-the-box. Whether you’re crafting classic digestifs or inventing your own infused elixirs, we want to taste your best blends.

Judges are looking for balance, bold flavour, and originality — and there’s nothing like a well-made liqueur to leave a lasting impression.

Enter now and prove that you’ve got the mixology magic. Cheers to flavour, flair, and a bit of fire!

Judging Classes

  • A highly flavoured sweetened spirit intended to be consumed after a meal. Includes all liqueurs made from essences. The alcohol must be in balance with the sugar and flavour. Should be full bodied and fortified with the alcohol level being appropriate to the style and a minimum of 22% alcohol by volume.

  • A highly flavoured sweetened spirit intended to be consumed after a meal. Includes all liqueurs made from fruits, herbs, spices and any other natural ingredients. The alcohol must be in balance with the sugar and flavour. Should be full bodied and fortified with the alcohol level being appropriate to the style and a minimum of 22% alcohol by volume.

  • A highly flavoured sweetened spirit with a cream or dairy base. May include natural and/or essences for flavour. The alcohol must be in balance with the sugar and flavour. Should be full bodied and fortified with the alcohol level being appropriate to the style and a minimum of 22% alcohol by volume.

  • Fruit Schnapps is a type of strong alcoholic beverage made by fermenting fruit or fruit juice and then distilling it.  A distilled spirit made from real fruit rather than flavored neutral grain alcohol.

    Ingredients: Typically made from apples, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, or other fruits. The fruit is fermented and then distilled.

    Flavor: Dry and strong, with natural fruit flavors. Not sweet like liqueurs—true fruit schnapps is more akin to fruit brandy.

    Clarity: Usually clear, although some may have a faint hue depending on the fruit used.

    Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Typically ranges from 30% to 40% ABV


  • Includes White Vodka, Gin, White Rum, and Tequila. Typically up to 40% alcohol by volume. Vodka: white, fermented grain aroma. Gin: white, juniper berry aroma. White Rum: white, sweet and sugary. Tequila: light amber, sting of cactus.

  • Includes Whiskey, Bourbon, Dark Rum, and Brandy. Typically up to 40% alcohol by volume. Whiskey: light amber, bracken of the Highlands aroma. Bourbon: dark amber, smoky oak wood. Dark Rum: dark, caramelised cane sugar. Brandy: gold amber, mellow oaky grapes.