🥃 Crème de cacao
Sweet liqueur with the flavour of cocoa beans: white is made from cocoa distillate, dark by infusion or percolation; in the EU it has at least 250 g/l sugar, from 15% ABV and no dairy products.
Crème de cacao is a sweet liqueur flavoured with cocoa beans, which comes in white (clear) and dark versions. Under EU Regulation 2019/787 it is a type of “crème de…”: it has at least 250 g/l of sugar and a strength of at least 15% ABV, and it contains no dairy products, despite the word “crème” in its name.
How it is made. According to Difford’s Guide, white liqueur is made from cocoa distillate, so it is clear and has a lighter taste, close to milk chocolate. The dark version is flavoured by infusion or percolation, when the spirit is passed through cocoa beans like water through ground coffee; sometimes a distillate is added as well. Some producers infuse a distillate a second time with cocoa and vanilla.
History. The exact origin of the liqueur is not known. Cocoa reached Europe from Mexico and South America in the 17th century, and the first spirit infusions of cocoa beans are attributed to French monasteries. The liqueur became popular in the era of dessert cocktails, and renewed interest from bartenders is described in the publication Tales of the Cocktail.
Cocktails. Two classics of the International Bartenders Association (IBA) rely on it. Alexander: 30 ml of cognac, dark crème de cacao and fresh cream, shaken with ice and dusted with nutmeg. Grasshopper: equal parts (20 ml) of white crème de cacao, green crème de menthe and cream. White crème de cacao is also used in the 20th Century cocktail with gin.
Why this matters to you. The “crème” in the name refers to sugar, not cream: a litre contains at least 250 g of sugar, so this is a rich dessert drink. The colour hints at the style: the clear version is lighter, the dark one deeper, but producers’ labels vary, so read the bottle. WHO: there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | 34 (crème de…) |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 15% ABV |
| Raw material | cocoa beans, spirit, sugar at least 250 g/l; no dairy products |
| Distillation method | white from cocoa distillate; dark by infusion or percolation, sometimes with distillate |
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, categories 33–34 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Crème de cacao → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What is made from it
- 🥃 Grasshopper
- Used in
- 🥃 Alexander, 🥃 Cognac
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Crème de… liqueur
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Kahlúa
- In other topics
- 🥛 Cream
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that crème de cacao contains cream?
No. Regulation (EU) 2019/787 excludes dairy products from the ingredients of “crème de…” liqueurs; the word “crème” indicates at least 250 g of sugar per litre.
How does white crème de cacao differ from the dark one?
The white version is made from cocoa distillate, is clear and lighter. The dark one is flavoured by infusion or percolation through cocoa beans, so it is brown and richer.
What is the strength of crème de cacao?
EU rules set a minimum of 15% ABV; there is no maximum, so check the label for the exact strength.
Which cocktails are made with crème de cacao?
According to the IBA: Alexander (cognac, dark liqueur, cream) and Grasshopper (white liqueur, green crème de menthe, cream). White liqueur is also used in the 20th Century.
Can white liqueur be replaced with dark?
The taste is similar, but the dark liqueur changes the colour of the drink. For clear or light cocktails such as the Grasshopper, the white version is used.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 🥃 Kahlúa — Mexican coffee liqueur created in 1936 in Veracruz: Arabica coffee, rum and sugar; part of Pernod Ricard.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Crème de menthe · 🥃 Crème de cassis · 🥃 Ratafia · 🍇 Crème de… liqueur · 🥃 Anisette · 🥃 Marula Cream Liqueur
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: cat. 33 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l; 'cream' + raw material for liqueurs containing milk products; mint and blackcurrant liqueurs — only natural flavourings), cat. 34 crème de (sugar ≥ 250 g/l, min. 15 %, milk products excluded; 'crème de cassis' — blackcurrants, sugar > 400 g/l)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I as originally adopted (legislation.gov.uk, version 17.05.2019): categories 33 Liqueur and 34 Crème de
- Difford's Guide: 20 best white crème de cacao cocktails (white — from a cacao distillate; dark — infusion or percolation; 'crème' = high sugar, not dairy)
- Tales of the Cocktail: How Crème de Cacao Is Making Its Comeback (cacao reached Europe in the 1600s; French monks; percolated dark vs distilled white)
- IBA — International Bartenders Association: Alexander (The Unforgettables; 30 ml cognac, 30 ml brown crème de cacao, 30 ml fresh cream, nutmeg)
- IBA — International Bartenders Association: Grasshopper (Contemporary Classics; 20 ml white crème de cacao, 20 ml green crème de menthe, 20 ml fresh cream)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)