Chocolate Liquor Isn't What You Think It Is

When you think of liquor, you probably think of your favorite spirits to imbibe with during a party or a night out. Brittanica notes that liquor is an alcoholic beverage that is made when grains or plants are fermented and then distilled to increase the alcohol content. While wines can start with a relatively lower ABV, liquors generally have a higher ABV of closer to 40% to 50%.

However, it turns out liquor can have a different meaning. Not all liquors are the kind of liquids that are going to get you a little tipsy — at least, not on booze. If you happen to be a fan of sweet stuff, you might have heard of something called chocolate liquor. And while that might have your mouth watering for some delectable chocolate martinis or spiked hot chocolate, its name is a bit misleading. It turns out, chocolate liquor is something else entirely, and you probably won't want to add it to your home bar. While it might make you a little woozy with delight, chocolate liquor contains zero alcohol.

In fact, chocolate liquor isn't even used to make chocolate-flavored boozy beverages. Instead, chocolate liquor is the term used to refer to the base ingredients of chocolate when they are in liquid form, according to Respect The Chocolate. Chocolate liquor is made up of ground cacao beans, more specifically, it contains about 55% cacao butter, with the remainder of the paste composed of cocoa solids and cocoa fat (per Guittard). When the chocolate substance is warmed, it becomes liquid, otherwise called chocolate liquor. And while today, liquor has a slightly different meaning, chocolate liquor got its name centuries ago because "it was the liquid or fluid from which chocolate was being produced," Dame Cacao explains. These days, liquid chocolate also goes by many names, including cacao liquor, cocoa liquor, cacao mass, cocoa mass, and baking chocolate.

But no matter what you call it, chocolate liquor is "the base substance from which chocolate is made," Respect The Chocolate says. And unlike your favorite boozy beverages, chocolate liquor doesn't necessarily stay liquor forever. Once the liquid substance hardens, it is commonly known as unsweetened chocolate.

However, if all this talk about chocolate liquor has you craving a boozy chocolate beverage like a S'moretini or a Chocolate Sidecar, never fear – you are not out of luck. You'll simply want to reach for a chocolate liqueur instead. Chocolate liqueurs, such as Creme de Cacao or Baileys Chocolate Cherry, are made with alcohol and will add a sweet, chocolatey kick to your evening cocktail.

Despite the similarities in the name, there are many differences between chocolate liquor and chocolate liqueur. Of course, the main difference is the alcohol content. Chocolate liqueur is a chocolate-flavored alcoholic beverage, which is made when chocolate is added to a base spirit, per Respect The Chocolate. On average, liqueur can contain an ABV content from 15% to 55%, so it can vary quite a bit based on the type and brand, according to The Spruce Eats. Many chocolate liqueurs are made with a creamy base, although some are made with clear alcohols, such as vodka, according to Dame Cacao. And while chocolate liqueur can be used as the main ingredient in sweet, rich chocolate cocktails, it can also be used to spice up a hot cup of coffee or even cocoa. 

So if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth with a Chocolate Chip Martini, chocolate liqueur might be just what you are looking for.