Ratafia

Ratafia is a liqueur or cordial flavoured with peach or cherry kernels, bitter almonds, or other fruits; many different varieties are made. The same name is given to a flavouring essence resembling bitter almonds, and also to a light biscuit. The word is adapted from the French of the 17th century.

Skeat (Etym. Dict., 1910) quotes as a possible origin a combination of Malay araq, arak, and tafia, rum. An alternative etymology proposes that the name derives from a custom of drinking to the ratification of a deal or treaty.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.