Liqueurs, also known as cordials, are composed of distilled spirits blended with flavoring ingredients such as fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, nuts, and cream. Liqueurs are typically sweet and contain less alcohol than spirits. Many liqueur recipes - such as green or yellow Chartreuse - are very old and have monastic origins, created by monks for medicinal use. Liqueurs can be drunk on their own, over ice, or as part of a cocktail. Amaros, bitters, apéritifs and digestifs may also be categorized as liqueurs.