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

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

Half a pound of ratafia, half a pint of boiling milk, more if required, stir it with a fork; three eggs, leaving out one white.

From The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory; In Which will Be Found a Large Collection of Original Receipts. 3rd ed. by Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady

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

From their replies, the Emperor suspected that it was ratafia; but he would not have sworn to it.

From The Fête At Coqueville 1907 by Meyer, L. G.

Add about a table-spoonful of ratafia, and a little salt: a little cream improves it much.

From The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory; In Which will Be Found a Large Collection of Original Receipts. 3rd ed. by Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady