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

These principles once admitted, he succeeded, after numerous experiments, in enjoying silent melodies on his tongue, mute funeral marches, in hearing, in his mouth, solos of mint, duos of ratafia and rum.

From Against the Grain by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)

When nearly cold cover the top with ratafia biscuits and decorate with angelica and cherries.

From Dr. Allinson's cookery book Comprising many valuable vegetarian recipes by Allinson, T. R. (Thomas Richard)

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

From My Pet Recipes, Tried and True Contributed by the Ladies and Friends of St. Andrew's Church, Quebec by Various

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

The yolks of eight eggs, about eight drops of essence of ratafia.

From My Pet Recipes, Tried and True Contributed by the Ladies and Friends of St. Andrew's Church, Quebec by Various