Liqueurs are defined as flavoured and sweetened spirits. They originated from Latin words meaning to dissolve, referring to flavouring materials dissolving in spirits. Monks in France produced the first liqueur in 1575. Liqueurs are produced by macerating, percolating or distilling flavouring materials like fruits, nuts, spices or herbs in a base spirit and sweetening it. Common types of liqueurs include fruit flavours like orange, coffee, chocolate and nut flavours like hazelnut or almond. Liqueurs can be proprietary to a brand or generic.