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

Ms. LaBouff had recreated a series of rooms illustrating different historical periods, and in her research had come across references to now-recherché drinks like quince ratafia.

From New York Times

The designation certifies that the ratafia comes from the Champagne region.

From New York Times

The two gentlemen went to the Cake House, sat down, and called for glasses 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

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

From Project Gutenberg