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Glite Dictionary
creme de cacao

creme de cacao

7.0
A sweet alcoholic drink flavored with chocolate and vanilla, used in cocktails and desserts
  • noun
  • /krɛm də kɑːˈkoʊ/
translation icon : crema de cacao
  • She added a splash of creme de cacao to the cocktail for a rich chocolate flavor.

Examples

  • A classic grasshopper is made with cream, mint liqueur, and creme de cacao.

  • The recipe calls for both white and dark creme de cacao to achieve the perfect balance.

  • I love a glass of creme de cacao after dinner.

  • Have you tried creme de cacao in your cocktails?

  • A classic grasshopper is made with cream, mint liqueur, and creme de cacao.

  • She added a splash of creme de cacao to the cocktail for a rich chocolate flavor.

  • The recipe calls for both white and dark creme de cacao to achieve the perfect balance.

Surface Forms

creme de cacao singular
creme de cacaos plural

Morphology

crème + de + cacao

The phrase is a literal French composition: 'crème' (cream) + 'de' (of) + 'cacao' (cocoa), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer it denotes a cocoa-flavored creamy product. Although the specific culinary convention (that Crème de Cacao is a sweet liqueur) is cultural knowledge, the basic meaning (a cream/creamy item made from cacao) is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Creme de cacao comes from French and literally means 'cream of cocoa'. With creme meaning 'cream' and cacao meaning 'cocoa', picture a smooth, sweet chocolate liquid, and that's why the name fits the sweet chocolate-flavored liqueur used in cocktails and desserts.