ratafia

[ rat-uh-fee-uh ]

noun

1. a sweet liqueur made from wine or grape juice combined with brandy or other spirits and often flavored with almonds, fruit, or fruit kernels.

ratafia

/ ˌrætəˈfɪə; ˌrætəˈfiː /

noun

1. any liqueur made from fruit or from brandy with added fruit
2. a flavouring essence made from almonds
3. Also calledratafia biscuit a small macaroon flavoured with almonds

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratafia¹

Borrowed into English from French around 1690–1700

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratafia¹

C17: from West Indian Creole French

Example Sentences

Mix them with the flour and sugar and then very, very carefully add a few drops of ratafia.

From Project Gutenberg

The table was decked out with divers platters, containing seed-cakes cut into rhomboids, almond biscuits, and ratafia drops.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon this lay sponge finger biscuits and ratafia cakes, and pour over just enough new milk to make them soft.

From Project Gutenberg

Bruised cherries with their stones are infused in spirit of wine to make the ratafia of Grenoble de Teyssère.

From Project Gutenberg

The fruit is also very extensively employed in the preparation of the liqueurs known as kirschwasser, ratafia and maraschino.

From Project Gutenberg