Chocolate Liqueur
Chocolate liqueur is an alcoholic liqueur in which the principal flavor is chocolate. It should not be confused with chocolate liquor which is actually pure chocolate in its liquid form. Thanks to a worldwide "chocolate craze" during the nineties there are a number of different brands on the market offering a wide range of flavors of Chocolate liqueur including, Black Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Orange, Chocolate Almond, Milk Chocolate, Caramel Chocolate, Crème de Cacao and White Chocolate.
Origins of Chocolate Liqueur
While many believe chocolate liqueur to be a fairly new drink, in actual fact it can be traced back to 1666 France where there is a mention of chocolate ' en liqueur'. There is also evidence of a 'chocolate wine' being popular in New England prior to the 18th century American Revolution. The drink was made of sherry, port, chocolate and sugar. There are many recipe books and journals from throughout the 17th to 20th centuries which contain recipes for various forms of the liqueur. The most basic modern recipes for chocolate liqueur include chocolate extract, vanilla extract, vodka and simple syrup. The purest form of the liqueur is actually clear, although coloring is often added to give it a more authentic chocolate appearance.
Different Variations of Chocolate Liqueur
Chocolate liqueur is available in three general variations :
- Chocolate Liqueur
- Chocolate Cream Liqueur
- Crème de Cacao
The most popular of these variations is probably crème de cacao which itself has variations. The liqueur can be clear and light or a dark caramel color. Theses variants are often sold as light crème de cacao and dark crème de cacao. The word crème refers to the liqueur's creamy texture, but there is no actual dairy cream in the beverage.
Popular Brands
There are many popular brands of chocolate liqueur on the market produced by alcohol manufacturers and chocolatiers alike. Some of the top selling brands across the United States include Bols, DeKuyper, Droste, Godet, Godiva, Marie Brizard, Mozart, Tia Maria, Truffles and Vandermint.
Serving Suggestions
The liqueur can be served straight, usually as an after dinner drink rather than an aperitif. It is also commonly used in desserts, chocolate sauces, cakes and truffles. It can also be used in a variety of mixed drinks and cocktails. Wine and chocolate are a classic pairing of flavors and many cocktails combine strong red wine with a shot of chocolate liqueur for a rich and decadent drink. For example a Black Mozart Sparkler consists of Mozart Black chocolate liqueur, cherry brandy and cherry juice topped with sparkling red wine.
There are also various other drinks and cocktails which feature chocolate liqueur. These include a 'Chocolate Martini' which is made by mixing 2oz of vodka and a half oz of crème de cacao in an ice filled cocktail shaker and serving in a martini glass or a 'Milky Way Martini' which combines vanilla vodka, chocolate liqueur and Irish cream served in a cocktail glass without ice.
When it comes to cooking with chocolate liqueur, it is again important not to confuse it with chocolate liquor. Chocolate flavored liqueurs are often used as an additional ingredient in chocolate truffles, chocolate sauces and desserts such as tiramisu.
