blackstrap molasses

1 of 2

noun (1)

black·​strap molasses ˈblak-ˌstrap- 

: a thick dark molasses obtained from successive processing of raw sugar

blackstrap

2 of 2

noun (2)

black·​strap ˈblak-ˌstrap 

1

: a common red wine of the Mediterranean

2

: a drink consisting of a mixture of rum and molasses

3

or blackstrap molasses

a

: the final molasses that is obtained in the last of successive processes of raw sugar manufacture and used as a constituent of many mixed cattle feeds and as a raw material for the production of industrial alcohol

b

: any thick and very dark molasses

4

: a dark heavy oil used especially for lubricating mine-car wheels

Examples of blackstrap molasses in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, blackstrap molasses has a bitter taste so many people opt for the light or medium forms. —Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2026

The finish is long and bold, with lingering notes of clove, leather and blackstrap molasses. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Both regular molasses and blackstrap molasses are produced during the process of making sugar, but blackstrap molasses goes through a third stage of boiling. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024

Plank Road Distillery's rum that made the list is distilled from sugar in the raw and blackstrap molasses. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024

Other Uses for Molasses The final step in the sugar-making process yields blackstrap molasses, a dense and dark-colored syrup with a bitter taste. —Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

blackstrap "drink consisting of mixed rum and molasses," from black entry 1 + strap entry 1

Note: The relevant sense of strap is unclear, and another word may be in play. The Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, suggests that it may be seventeenth-century Dutch stroop "syrup, treacle," apparently a variant of siroop "syrup."

Noun (2)

black entry 1 + strap

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1880, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Rhymes for blackstrap molasses

• asses
• basses
• brasses
• classes
• fasces
• gases
• gasses
• glasses
• grasses
• lasses
• maces
• masses