ratafia

American  

[rat-uh-fee-uh] / ˌræt əˈfi ə /

Also ratafee

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.

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ratafia British  

/ ˌrætəˈfɪə, ˌrætəˈfiː /

noun

1. any liqueur made from fruit or from brandy with added fruit

2. a flavouring essence made from almonds

3. Also called: ratafia biscuit.  a small macaroon flavoured with almonds

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Etymology

Origin of ratafia

Borrowed into English from French around 1690–1700

Example Sentences

Only mind, that Romeo, had he lived in Australia, instead of taking poison, would probably have "Took to drinking ratafia, and thought of poor Miss Baily," for full twenty-four hours after the catastrophe.

From Recollections of Geoffrey Hamlyn by Kingsley, Henry

A ratafia drop may be added to each cup; and if intended to keep, the cream must be previously scalded.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849

Madame Vantrasson was not in her accustomed place, behind the counter, between her black cat—her latest idol—and the bottles from which she prepared her ratafia, now her supreme consolation here below.

From Baron Trigault's Vengeance by Gaboriau, Émile

Cover the top before you serve it with ratafia biscuits.

From The Belgian Cookbook by Various

Very dear to the heart of refined sensualists is the famous monks' liquor called chartreuse, which deservedly ranks at the head of the long list of liqueurs—anisette, curaçao, maraschino, rosolio, alkermès, ratafia, genièvre, etc.

From Lippincott's Magazine, Vol. 20, August 1877 by Various