Updated June 2026.
In the US, cordial and liqueur are the same class: flavored distilled spirits with at least 2.5% sugar by weight. They may not be labeled straight. A wine “cordial” is a different Part 4 label. Triple sec and Curaçao are optional 5.150 type words, not a separate class. Baileys Original is 17%. Read the neck.
Related: liquor vs liqueur, cordial vs liqueur, schnapps vs liqueur.
Class vs shop talk
| Language | Drinks |
|---|---|
| US cordial / liqueur | Read the neck |
| Sugar floor | — |
| Wine cordial | — |
| Triple sec / Curaçao | Neck |
Count the neck. Pour math: liqueur drinks.
Sources
- 27 CFR 5.150. Wine cordial is Part 4. Baileys Original 17% official this project.
- Triple sec is a 5.150 type word, not a separate class. NIAAA December 2025.