Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur used in a variety of iconic cocktails. You may find this dark purple, fruity drink in a Martini or even a specialty Manhattan.
The Chambord brand was started in the 1980s, but the raspberry liqueur recipe they were inspired by dates back to the 1680s. All of Chambord’s products are made in France. Their raspberry liqueur is produced from raspberries, blackberries, and several spirits, including Cognac.
There are several unique flavors combined in this drink. For a flavored liqueur, it provides an impressive depth of flavor.
Chambord is also known for its elegant aesthetic. The bottle is round and squat, covered with shiny purple lettering and gold accents. It looks like something that would be on the shelf of a millionaire. In reality, Chambord liqueur is very affordable. You can find a 750 mL bottle of the drink for less than $30.
If you’re looking for a way to add some rich, sophisticated fruit notes to your latest cocktail, you can’t go wrong with a classic bottle of Chambord.
Chambord’s refined production process
This exquisite liqueur is produced in the Loire Valley, just south of Paris, France. Though its exact recipe is a secret, we know that the drink is blended from multiple spirits like Cognac.
To begin the production process, whole raspberries and blackberries are soaked in French spirits for up to six weeks. Later, the berries are strained from the mixture and soaked for another two weeks in the second batch of liquor.
After the second steeping process, the berries are strained again and pressed for their sugar and juice. Finally, the master blender combines the two infused spirits with juice, black raspberries, honey, spices, quality Cognac, vanilla extract from Madagascar, citrus peels from Morocco.
Essentially, three different kinds of juices are being used for this drink, all with their own distinct flavors and aromas.
This intricate production process contributes to that feeling of luxury you get when you sip on Chambord. You know that the liqueur had to go through many steps to be made and is produced from the highest quality ingredients possible.
The history of chambord
As mentioned before, the raspberry liqueur recipe that Chambord is based on was first utilized in the 17th century. It originally comes from the Loire Valley region of France.
It is believed that King Louis XIV was gifted this liqueur during his annual visits to the area. A lot has changed for this raspberry-flavored spirit since then.
In 2006, about 25 years after its launch, the Chambord brand was sold to the Brown-Forman Corporation for a cash sum of $255 million. This move would take the Chambord name to the next level.
Brown-Forman is known as one of the world’s premier alcohol companies. Their vast portfolio includes household names like Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, GlenDronach, Ford’s Gin, Herradura tequila, and many others.
Today, Chambord is produced in Cour-Cheverny, a commune in the French region, Centre-Val de Loire. The Brown-Forman facility can be found less than ten miles away from the Chambord commune, which houses the iconic Château de Chambord. This château was built in the 16th century and is the largest château in the Loire Valley. At one point, it was used as a hunting retreat by King Louis XIV during the 1600s.
Some have suggested that the Chambord name is inspired by the château, but the brand has not confirmed or denied these claims.
In 2010, Brown-Forman attempted to shake up the industry again, announcing a Chambord-branded, raspberry-flavored vodka release. The product was sold in Chambord’s classic bottle.
The brand described this drink as a “visually interruptive” blend of French vodka and Chambord’s signature black raspberry flavor.
A delicate flavor profile
When it comes to taste, Chambord has sweet but intense flavors. Despite its bright color and blend of fruit ingredients, the drink is not too sugary.
Notes of vanilla and citrus shine through. The texture of the drink is silky and smooth, lacking any type of stickiness or oiliness.
You can also taste the Cognac in this liqueur, which is one of its main ingredients. Remember that Chambord’s is made from several different spirits, so it’s sure to pack a punch. That said, compared to other spirits, Chambord’s flavored liqueur is fairly weak, only having a 16% ABV.
In recent years, there have been a myriad of other black raspberry imitators to hit the market. None can truly compete with Chambord’s, though.
How to serve chambord
Nobody is going to look at you sideways for drinking Chambord on the rocks or straight. In fact, it is quite enjoyable to sip on this fruity liqueur independently. It’s light enough to sip without fear of intense intoxication. Its palate is also interesting enough to stand up on its own.
With all that said, the most popular way to serve Chambord is to use it in a cocktail. This drink has become such a popular cocktail ingredient that it’s even started to be used as a substitute in classics like the Martini, the Margarita, the Gin and Tonic, and more.
This liqueur works so well in cocktails because of its light, fruity flavor, as well as its airiness as a drink. A splash of Chambord will add complexity to almost any drink.
It is common for people to mix this liqueur with wines, particularly Champagne and other sparkling beverages. The natural fruitiness of wine, which comes from its grape base, pairs excellently with the palate of Chambord.
Typically, light, simple drinks are best to mix with Chambord. You want the flavors of the Chambord to be the star of your cocktail. Beverages like ginger beer are also commonly mixed with Chambord.
You’ll also want to use a clear glass to display the drink’s vibrant, deep royal purple. A huge part of serving drinks is the presentation. Chambord’s liqueur has a beautiful hue, so make sure it’s visible.
Creative cocktails with chambord
So what are the best Chambord cocktails? Well, it all depends on what you want out of a drink. Here are some of our favorites:
Chambord and champagne
The first recipe is a basic mixture of Champagne and Chambord. Just mix the raspberry liqueur with some bubbly, and you’ve got yourself a fancy, little drink. You can play around with the ratios, but we prefer to use three parts Champagne and one part Chambord.
The floradora variation
Moving on, we’ve got the decadent Floradora cocktail. This is an old-timey highball drink featuring raspberry syrup, gin, and ginger beer. It has been made since the early 1900s and was inspired by the famous Broadway show “Floradora.”
For this one, just swap out the raspberry syrup for your Chambord. Don’t be afraid to add a generous amount. The raspberry flavoring will really accentuate the gin and ginger in this drink.
Zipper cocktail
Last but not least, you can also make a delightfully tasteful Zipper cocktail. This mixed drink consists of vodka, Chambord, and lemon-lime soda.
Use an equal amount of each beverage and add fresh berries and mint for garnish. The result should be a dark, purple-red drink similar in appearance to pomegranate juice.
The takeaway
Chambord has become a necessity for the shelf of every bartender. Not all of their patrons may be familiar with the drink, but it remains a favorite among enthusiasts of flavored liqueurs.
There are many cheaper competitors in this field, but none can match the quality of authentic Chambord. Few can compete with the exquisite packaging and labeling of the liqueur either.
No longer is this amazing drink confined to the borders of France. Today, you can find a bottle of Chambord practically anywhere, which is an absolute blessing for drinkers like us.
For a broad assortment of Chambord products, check out Saucey. We carry three different sizes of their classic black raspberry liqueur, along with their raspberry-flavored vodka. And best yet, we deliver it all straight to your door. Visit our site to order now.
