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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ratafia

"Stop that there infernal screeching!" said a couple of ladies, who were sipping ratafia in company with two pretty fellows.

From Catherine: a Story by William Makepeace Thackeray

Add laurel-leaves, bitter almonds, or ratafia, to give it a flavour; then put it into cups.

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 Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury

There are some people who the older they get the harder they grow; but he,—why he's getting soft and improving with time, like your ratafia!

From Eugenie Grandet by Katharine Prescott Wormeley

My Lady Wishfort, I warrant, who publishes her detestation of mankind, and full of the vigour of fifty-five, declares for a friend and ratafia; and let posterity shift for itself, she'll breed no more.

From The Way of the World by William Congreve

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

From Tales from Blackwood, Volume 1 by Various

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