creme de cacao: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “creme de cacao” mean?
A sweet, chocolate-flavored liqueur made from cocoa beans.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet, chocolate-flavored liqueur made from cocoa beans.
A term for a category of liqueurs and also for cocktails or desserts that incorporate this liqueur.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the French term. The spelling 'creme' (without accent) is more common in American commercial contexts, while 'crème' is standard in both varieties for formal writing.
Connotations
Connotes sophistication, classic cocktails, and dessert drinks. It is not an everyday household item.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to contexts of mixology, fine dining, and gourmet cooking.
Grammar
How to Use “creme de cacao” in a Sentence
[Verb] + crème de cacao: 'add', 'pour', 'shake with', 'substitute for'[Adjective] + crème de cacao: 'dark/white', 'imported', 'premium'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “creme de cacao” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The recipe advises to gently stir the crème de cacao into the cream.
American English
- You can substitute crème de cacao for the schnapps in that drink.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable - not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable - not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The crème de cacao flavour was subtle but distinct.
American English
- This is a crème de cacao-based cocktail, not a rum one.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the beverage industry, hospitality, and marketing of spirits.
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or cultural studies of food and drink.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Used when discussing specific recipes or cocktail orders.
Technical
Used in bartending (mixology) and professional pastry/culinary arts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “creme de cacao”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “creme de cacao”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “creme de cacao”
- Mispronouncing 'cacao' as /kəˈkeɪ.oʊ/ (like 'cocoa') instead of /kəˈkaʊ/.
- Misspelling as 'cream de cacao' or 'creme de cocoa'.
- Using it as a generic term for any chocolate sauce or cream.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Crème de cacao is an alcoholic liqueur, while chocolate syrup is a non-alcoholic sweet topping.
Dark crème de cacao is amber to brown, often with a richer, darker chocolate flavor. White crème de cacao is clear or off-white, with a lighter, vanilla-infused chocolate taste.
Yes, it is often served as a digestif after a meal, but it is more commonly used as an ingredient in cocktails and desserts.
The 'Grasshopper' (crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream) and the 'Alexander' (gin, crème de cacao, and cream) are two classic examples.
A sweet, chocolate-flavored liqueur made from cocoa beans.
Creme de cacao is usually formal/culinary in register.
Creme de cacao: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrem də kəˈkaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɛm də kəˈkaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to the term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Crème' is creamy, and 'cacao' is chocolate. It's a creamy chocolate liqueur.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY IS RARITY / SOPHISTICATION IS FOREIGN ORIGIN (French term for a specialized product).
Practice
Quiz
What is crème de cacao primarily?