Mr. Boston Creme De Cacao

Mr. Boston Creme de Cacao is a chocolate liqueur, and it exists mainly to put cocoa flavor and sweetness into mixed drinks. The details supplied for this product don't list an ABV, a color or an origin, so what follows describes the style in general terms. Creme de cacao is made by infusing or distilling cacao beans, and the vanilla that usually rounds out the flavor is a typical addition. Expect a sweet, syrupy liqueur with a dry cocoa-powder edge, not the bittersweet depth of dark chocolate. The aroma is usually closer to chocolate milk or cocoa nibs with a trace of vanilla than to a rich confection. Bottles come in clear (white) and dark versions. If this one is dark, it will taste much the same as the clear style, and the color mostly shows up in the glass. In the glass, creme de cacao works as a modifier more than a base spirit. It sweetens a drink and adds cocoa without making it heavy, and that is why it sits in so many mid-century classics. The Grasshopper combines equal parts creme de menthe, creme de cacao and cream. The Brandy Alexander replaces the mint with cognac, and the Alexander made with gin follows the same template. A White Russian or a Mudslide takes a splash for chocolate depth. A Chocolate Martini uses it alongside vodka. For a simple stirred drink, add a measure to a Manhattan-style mix or to an espresso martini, where it softens the coffee's bitterness. Many recipes call for 3/4 to 1 ounce per drink, and you can taste and adjust from there because it is sweet. Serving it on its own is simple. Pour a small measure over ice, or chill the bottle and pour it neat into a cordial glass. Cream-based cocktails are best shaken hard with ice and strained into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Over crushed ice with milk or cream it makes a quick dessert drink. A splash in hot coffee or hot chocolate also works, and so does a spoonful over vanilla ice cream. It goes well with coffee, orange peel, mint, hazelnut, cherries and ripe berries, so a few of those make easy garnishes. Use a lighter hand if your recipe already includes other sweet liqueurs or syrups, since creme de cacao adds sugar as well as flavor.