curaçao

noun cu·ra·çao \ ˈkyu̇r-ə-ˌsō , -ˌsau̇ , ˈku̇r- ; ˌk(y)u̇r-ə-ˈsō , -ˈsau̇ \

variants: or less commonly curaçoa play \ˈkyu̇r-ə-ˌsō, -ˌsau̇, ˈku̇r-; ˌk(y)u̇r-ə-ˈsō, -ˈsau̇ or ˌkyu̇r-ə-ˈsō-ə\

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of curaçao

: a liqueur flavored with the dried peel of the sour orange

Recent Examples of curaçao from the Web

Sip on this red, white and blue concoction made from layers of strawberry daiquiri, piña colada and blue curacao. $10.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Red, white and booze: Celebrate the Fourth of July with these patriotic cocktails," 29 June 2017
But avoid mixers whenever possible — margarita mix, schnapps, baileys, curacao will generally add 10g of carbs per serving.

— kimberly mugler, Philly.com, "Dos and donts of drinking alcohol on paleo, keto diets," 26 May 2018
Cocktails follow that theme, like the 24 Carrot with carrot juice, vodka, cardamom, honey and lemon juice and the Root Down with beet juice, bourbon, dry curacao, star anise, lemon juice and turmeric.

— leeanne griffin, courant.com, "Beyond Bloody Marys: Drinking Your Veggies At Your Favorite Cocktail Bar," 23 Jan. 2018
The bar serves drinks such as the $12 VUEtini (vodka, sweet and sour mix, blue curacao, pineapple juice) and $6.25 local beers, from breweries such as Sugar Creek.

— ely portillo, charlotteobserver, "The latest perk in Charlotte’s luxury apartments: A private bar for residents, guests," 20 Oct. 2017
Tequila, grapefruit, lime, and watermelon juice are served over crushed ice and topped with blue curacao.

— julia thiel, Chicago Reader, "Apogee’s cocktails are made for Instagram," 24 Aug. 2017
After chatting over lunch (and maybe a couple refreshing adult beverages--try the Gulf Mist made with mango rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice, and club soda), get prepped for your treatment with a visit to the Serenity Lounge.

— tara massouleh, AL.com, "Get away with the girls at this beachfront resort," 4 Aug. 2017
Ingredients 4 1/2 cups pineapple juice, preferably fresh (see headnote) 1 cup fresh lime juice (from 4 limes) 1 3/4 cups green Chartreuse 2 to 3 ounces blue curacao (optional; see headnote)

— special to the washington post, The Denver Post, "Starting pitcher, relief pitchers: It’s a rotation of summer punch," 18 May 2017
KENTUCKY BUBBLE BATH Ingredients: Maker’s Mark bourbon, fresh lemon juice, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, blue curacao, topped with Champagne First impression: Surprisingly underwhelming, considering the ingredients.

— paul hodgins, Orange County Register, "Here are 3 new cocktails to be offered at reopened House of Blues Anaheim," 27 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curaçao.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of curaçao

Dutch curaçao, from Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1813

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Curaçao

geographical name Cu·ra·çao \ ˌku̇r-ə-ˈsau̇ , ˌkyu̇r- , -ˈsō , -ˈsä-ˌō \

Definition of Curaçao

internally self-governing Dutch island in the southern Caribbean; chief town Willemstad area 182 square miles (471 square kilometers), population 150,563

Note: Curaçao was formerly part of Netherlands Antilles.