Advocaat
Advocaat is a Dutch egg liqueur with roots in the 17th-century Dutch colonial trade, where Dutch sailors in Suriname made a thick drink from the avocado—called 'advocaat' in Dutch—that was later recreated at home using egg yolks when avocados were unavailable in the Netherlands. The egg-based version became codified in the Dutch spirits tradition by the 19th century, with commercial production established by firms including Bols and, most influentially, the Warninks family of Doesburg, whose brand became synonymous with the style during the 20th century. Advocaat achieved global recognition through the Snowball cocktail—advocaat and lemonade—which became a British holiday staple in the 1970s.
Flavor Profile
Advocaat is rich, thick, and custard-like, with dominant notes of vanilla, fresh egg yolk, and sweet cream layered over a brandy backbone. The texture is as much a part of the experience as the flavor—it coats the palate and delivers a warmth that lingers. Higher-quality Dutch-style advocaat shows less sugar and more distinct egg and brandy character, while sweeter commercial versions lean toward vanilla pudding and caramelized milk.