Chocolate and alcohol are two treats that many people enjoy. If you occasionally like to indulge in a drink and have a sweet tooth, we have good news for you! You can now relish the flavor of chocolate while enjoying your favorite alcoholic beverages. It is made possible by chocolate liqueur. Just imagine the sweetness of chocolate combined with the rich aroma of cocoa and the warmth of alcohol. Can you picture a delightful drink? That’s exactly the idea!
But what exactly is chocolate liqueur? Do you have the same question? Let’s take a pause and look at the ABCs of chocolate liqueur and how it’s made.
Origin Of Chocolate Liqueur
Before getting into the origin, let’s quickly look at what chocolate liqueur is. Chocolate liqueur is a combination of chocolate and cream which is distilled with alcoholic spirits like vodka, whiskey, or rum. So, if Willy Wonka had used vodka or rum with his chocolate, we’d get to see The Chocolate Liqueur Factory.
Now, let’s jump to its origin. Once the ancient civilizations Mayans and Aztecs had cultivated cocoa beans, there was no looking back. In 1666, these cocoa beans made their way to Europe, all because of the Spanish explorers. The Spanish who were already popular for their creativity added sugar and milk to the beans to make a chocolate drink.
From then on, cocoa beans became a primary ingredient for everything. They made chocolate drinks, cakes, hot chocolate, and whatnot. In the 17th century, Domenico Caravella from Italy created a recipe for a chocolate elixir and that’s how the first chocolate liqueur was born. It was initially supplied as a medicinal tonic, but with time, it gained popularity for its sweet taste and rich cocoa flavors.
While all of this was happening in Italy, another European nation, France, came up with the concept of ‘Creme de Cacao’. Even the French version was made by mixing cocoa beans or cocoa powder with the natural spirits available then. Not only did the French sip it directly, but it became a cocktail ingredient because of its sweet taste.
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Making Of Chocolate Liqueur
No matter how elegant the chocolate liqueur bottles look, there’s a lot that goes into making one. Right from choosing the finest cocoa beans to converting them into cocoa powder and then distilling them with natural spirits, it takes time to make this magical potion. Now, let’s understand the process step by step.
1. Cocoa Extraction
First and foremost, the 100% natural cocoa beans were originally obtained from Ecuador but now pretty much every country has their cultivation. The beans are fermented, dried and roasted to perfection. They are then crushed to extract the cocoa solids. This is where the chocolatey magic begins.
2. Mixing It Up
After the cocoa solids are extracted, they join hands with sugar. Sometimes even cream is added just to give some creamy texture to the drink. The result? A blend of sweet and chocolatey flavors.
3. Adding Alcohol
Now comes the star of the show, the alcohol which is usually vodka or rum, is added into the mix. Without going into too much detail, we just need to know the ABV of the spirit added. It typically ranges from 15% to 20% ABV. If you compare these figures with beer or wine which has ABV between 5.5-12%, chocolate liqueurs are stronger but of course the chocolatey taste won’t make you feel drunk until the next day.
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Variations Of Chocolate Liqueurs
To be honest, the majority of the people like chocolates on some or the other levels. But what if sweet taste isn’t your thing? To solve this huge problem, people from all over the world have come up with dark chocolates, milk chocolates, even white chocolates.
So, if you’re wondering, do these variations in chocolates work well with liqueurs or not? Hell, yeah! Some famous chocolate liqueurs brands use these types of chocolate.
1. Dark Chocolate Liqueur
For those who love the intensity of dark cocoa, you’ve got your match. It’s got a rich, bittersweet chocolate flavor which will satisfy not just your chocolate craving but will leave you with a memorable drinking experience. Mozart’s Dark Chocolate Liqueur, OM Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Liqueur, Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa are some of the world-famous dark chocolate liqueurs.
2. Milk Chocolate Liqueur
If you’re all about creamy, sweet indulgence, the milk chocolate version will be your comrade. It even contains vanilla, toffee flavors, or cream for that extra creaminess in your drink. Velvetised Chocolate Cream and Pennsylvania Dutch Chocolate Cream are some of the popular milk chocolate-based liqueurs.
3. White Chocolate Liqueur
If white chocolate is your thing, we’re sure you must have tried white chocolate liqueur right? They have a creamy and velvet-like texture with white chocolate and a gentle hint of Irish Whiskey flavor. It leaves a sweet, vanilla-like aftertaste. Isn’t it like a silky dessert in a glass?
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Top Chocolate Liqueur Brands
Now that we’ve covered the basics of chocolate liqueurs, let’s shift our focus towards some of the top brands that have mastered the art of mixing chocolate into spirits like vodka and rum. If you’re living in India and want to know what brands are available in the country, let’s narrow down the brands –
1. Godiva Liqueur
They say, When it comes to chocolates, no one knows it better than Godiva. The company has used their vast understanding of chocolates to use and come up with their own Godiva liqueurs. With variations like Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Godiva Caramel Liqueur, and much more, the makers have balanced the blend of delicate flavors of cocoa beans and liqueurs.
2. Patron XO
If you want a chocolate liqueur with a smooth finish, you should look up Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa. All the bottles are carefully handcrafted in small batches. Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa is a blend of the finest cocoa beans, ultra-premium tequila and of course the natural aroma of the finest coffee. The tequila used in making is their speciality – Patron Silver Tequila.
3. Baileys Irish Cream
Another impressive option for all the chocolate and coffee lovers in the house! This Ireland-origin brand has made an incredible name for itself in the world of liqueurs. The primary steps remain the same: Irish whiskey mixed with cream. Now depending on the requirements, coffee is added to the mix and it is given as Baileys Irish Cream Coffee Liqueur. When chocolate is mixed, we’re rewarded with Baileys Chocolat Luxe Cream Liqueur.
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Summing Up
By now we’ve gathered enough information on what chocolate liqueur is and how it’s made. We even looked at the famous chocolate liqueurs that are available in India. So, you very well know what chocolate liqueur to buy for yourself or gift to someone. Remember, having your facts right will fetch you brownie points in front of your friends or when you’re on a date.
FAQs
Can You Get High From Having Chocolate Liqueurs?
Yes. Chocolate liqueurs have an ABV between 15-20%. The alcohol content is supplemented by the taste of chocolate which doesn’t let us keep a count on consumption and can surely make us high and cause a hangover later.
Can You Drink Chocolate Liqueur Straight?
Yes. Chocolate liqueur can be consumed directly. It can also be used as an after-dinner drink or when you want to go for a drink which leaves a sweet aftertaste.
Does Chocolate Liqueur Taste Like Chocolate?
As cocoa beans or chocolates are the primary ingredient of chocolate liqueurs, it does taste like chocolate, there’s no denying that. But if you want to experiment with the taste, you can pair it with milk, cream, or mix it with cocktails.
Is Liqueur Stronger Than Wine?
Yes. Apart from the aromas and the flavors, Liqueur and Wine differ in alcohol by volume as well. Liqueur ranges between 15-20% ABV while wine has ABV content as low as 5.5 to 10%.
