What Is Chocolate Liquor, and How Is It Made?

Despite the name, chocolate liquor has nothing to do with alcohol. It’s not the boozy cousin of your favourite dessert, it’s actually one of the most essential ingredients in chocolate making.

If you’ve ever spotted it listed on a label and wondered is chocolate liquor alcohol? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. 

This blog breaks it all down: what chocolate liquor is, how it’s made, where it’s used (yes, including baking), and how it differs from actual chocolate liqueur.

Let’s stir it up.

What Is Chocolate Liquor?

Chocolate liquor (also called cocoa liquor or cocoa mass) is a thick, rich paste made from ground-up cocoa nibs. It’s not alcoholic at all, the word “liquor” just refers to its liquid state during processing.

Chocolate liquor contains two key parts of the cocoa bean:

• Cocoa solids: Where all the flavour and antioxidants live.
• Cocoa butter: The fat that gives chocolate its smooth texture.
  
  

It’s 100% pure chocolate, with no added sugar, milk, or flavouring. That makes it vegan-friendly and perfect for both industrial chocolate production and serious baking.

Is Chocolate Liquor Alcohol?

Not even close.

The name is misleading, but chocolate liquor is completely non-alcoholic. It’s simply the result of grinding roasted cocoa nibs into a smooth, molten paste. So next time you spot it on an ingredients list, you can rest easy, there’s no actual liquor involved.

If you are looking for something boozy, that would be chocolate liqueur (with an e) – the sweet, creamy alcoholic drink that pairs chocolate flavour with vodka, cream, or rum. So if you’re shopping for natural dark chocolate, make sure you’re reading “liquor”, not “liqueur”.

What Is Chocolate Liquor Made Of?

Chocolate liquor is made of one thing only: ground cocoa nibs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

1. Cocoa Beans are harvested and fermented to develop flavour.
2. They’re then dried, roasted, and cracked open.
3. The inner part – the cocoa nibs – are ground until they liquefy due to the heat of friction.
4. The result is a smooth, warm paste: chocolate liquor.
   
   

This paste can be:

• Used as-is (in recipes like ganache, brownies, or mousse)
• Pressed into cocoa butter and cocoa solids
• Or blended with sugar, milk, and more cocoa butter to make finished chocolate

Chocolate Liquor for Baking

You can absolutely use chocolate liquor for baking — just be aware that it's pure, unsweetened chocolate. It’s like unsweetened baking chocolate, just in a more raw, concentrated form.

Best for:

• Fudgy brownies or flourless cakes
• Rich ganache or truffles
• Chocolate sauces with a bitter edge
• Anything that needs intense cocoa flavour without added sweetness
  
  

You can also blend it with butter and sugar for a homemade dark chocolate base, then use it to top off cakes or swirl through batter. Baking and adding different types of chocolate can also enhance the flavours.

Can You Make Chocolate Liquor at Home?

Technically, yes. Realistically, it’s tricky.

To make cocoa liquor at home, you’ll need:

• High-quality cocoa beans
• A way to roast and grind nibs into a paste (a strong blender or stone grinder)
• A lot of patience
  
  

Unless you’re an experimental chocolatier or keen on DIY, it’s usually easier (and more delicious) to grab a high-quality product that’s already done the work for you.

Instead, try upgrading your bakes with collagen-infused chocolate for an extra skin-loving twist. Our chocolate gift boxes are perfect for topping cupcakes, stirring into a ganache, or sneaking into the mixing bowl when no one’s watching.

Is Chocolate Liquor Vegan?

Yes, chocolate liquor is naturally vegan and gluten-free.

It’s made from just one ingredient – cocoa nibs – with no animal products, dairy, or additives.

That said, it’s always worth checking the labels of any chocolate liquor product, as add-ins like milk powder or butter might be included depending on the recipe.

Where to Find Chocolate You’ll Actually Want to Bake With

Whether you’re making something for yourself or wrapping it up for a loved one, the chocolate you choose matters.

We love using our ILOVEUBABE XO® chocolate as an easy upgrade for brownies, cakes, and DIY dessert boards. Made with collagen, no nasties, and under 56 calories a serve, it’s not just a treat. It’s a beauty moment.

Try melting our bars down for a glossy drizzle, chopping them into chocolate chunks for cookie dough, or sprinkling over truffles. They’re just as good straight from the box too (you know, for taste testing).

Explore our chocolate subscription for a monthly hit of glow-up chocolate, perfect for sweet tooths and beauty lovers alike.

Experimenting With Baking? Try Chocolate Liquor

Chocolate liquor for baking might sound mysterious, but it’s really just the purest form of chocolate, packed with rich cocoa flavour and endless possibilities.

Whether you’re baking with it, stirring it into ganache, or just curious about what’s behind your favourite bar, chocolate liquor is the foundation of every chocolate lover’s dream.

Ready to bake something beautiful? Top your treats with collagen chocolate and get glowing, one bite at a time.