I always thought "liquor" was stuff like Lemoncello and Amaretto.
(FWIW I'm a native US English speaker.)
(FWIW I'm a native US English speaker.)
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liqueur
> a usually sweetened alcoholic liquor (such as brandy) flavored with fruit, spices, nuts, herbs, or seeds
vs liquor
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquor
> a usually distilled rather than fermented alcoholic beverage
see https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amaretto
> an almond-flavored liqueur
and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limoncello
> Limoncello (Italian pronunciation: [limonˈtʃɛlːo]) is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy