Friday, September 14, 2012

Chocolate Cordial Cups





In my cache of vintage magazines, there are certain advertisements that appear often. In my 1930s magazines, there are the ads for Heinz tomato juice that feature the Aristocrat Tomato Man (Google it to see what I'm talking about), while the 1950s-era magazines promoted Fostoria glass. And my 1960s issues harbor numerous ads for Chocolate Cordial Cups made by the Astor Chocolate Corp. of Brooklyn.

I think that I've seen these chocolate liqueur cups before, but I never thought much about them until I kept seeing the Astor Chocolate ads time and time again. A search on the internet led me to the Astor Chocolate website, where they are still selling
these chocolate cups bound in gold foil cups. According to their website, the company's owner devised these edible shot glasses in response to 1960s-era laws that prohibited the sale of liqueur filled chocolates. In one's own home, though, one could play mixologist/chocolatier without any fear of breaking any laws. Hence, the chocolate cordial cup.

I'm curious- have any of you served these cups when entertaining? If so, what kind of liqueur do you pour into them? I'm intrigued by the idea of them and am thinking of ordering some. I might serve them with a shot of Framboise seeing that chocolate and raspberries go hand in hand. Amaretto or Frangelico might be nice, too, although I'm thinking that Midori might look a little radioactive in those chocolate cups. What do you think?




24 comments:

  1. Oh yes! I remember these or, rather, the fad for them - even had a few until I realized they were too delicious a way of getting both queasy and tiddly. Nonetheless, they'll be ideal for the next First Friday Happy Hour so thank you for the link.

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    1. I'm looking forward to partaking of them soon!

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  2. It is heartwarming to see that these are still around. They were a Christmas eve tradition among the adults when I was I child. I think mine was filled with milk. I do not know what sort of spirit was used for the grown-ups.

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  3. These were ubiquitous at "grown-up" parties when I was a kid in the 60s.

    I'd say "no" on Midori - less for the color clash than the flavor clash (melon & chocolate? urgh)

    Creme de menthe would be a good green color - and retro, too.

    You could also pipe cheesecake filling into these - I bet that would be good.

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  4. I remember these as well (guess I'm dating myself)!! I love the idea of Framboise but Cointreau might be nice as well - I think the fruity with the chocolate is a good mix. I have also bought slightly larger, wider chocolate shells that I fill with custard and fruit.

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  5. I remember going home one weekend with a college friend in the mid-70s and his parents served Cointreau (orange liquor) in little chocolate cups in the living room with coffee after dinner.

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  6. I think that we should have a virtual party where we each enjoy these cups with a liqueur of our choice!

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  7. Anonymous10:02 AM

    In Switzerland these cups, slightly smaller and filled with cream, are still served together with coffee. you put as much cream into the coffee as you like and the rest with the cup into the mouth...

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    1. I like the idea of that, too. Thank you!

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  8. Hmmmmm. Kahlua. Creme de Cacao. Great idea.
    Mary

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  9. OMG! What a wonderful idea! And I love all the ideas your commenters have offered.

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  10. I was going to say serve them with coffee served with cream like they do in Sweden, but Anon beat me to it!

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  11. I love all of your ideas! Now I must buy some and serve them up!

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    1. When you have, call me! It's only a short walk. The Celt's idea is to have them filled with micro-trifles.

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  12. Anonymous10:41 PM

    While escorting bridal parties for portraits at the private gardens where I work I've learned that quite a few members of the Armenian Community in So. California consider chocolate cups filled with good brandy to be an essential part of many celebrations.

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    1. I had no idea. I like the way they celebrate, though.

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  13. kahlua or just eat them empty like we did as kids tho you might get in trouble with mom-
    a friend actually made her own somehow-

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    1. While searching the internet, I did see molds that can be used to make your own cups. I don't care for white chocolate, but I suppose is someone preferred that to milk chocolate, they could make their own.

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  14. A young friend had an idea - rim them with crushed graham crackers and fill with marshmallow vodka. S'mores!

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    1. That's a fabulous idea! I must be out of the loop, because I had no idea there was such a thing as marshmallow vodka. I need to investigate that.

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  15. I was married in 1974, and around that time I remember these chocolate cups.

    Going not-so-sweet is what I'm reminded of: Drambuie. we also were into Pousse-café drinks which were built around layering liquors according to the specific gravity of each. A clear glass is best for those drinks. I can't remember if they were lit on fire before served or not.

    My Gi tract might have appreciated not going down those paths!

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  16. Anonymous6:57 PM

    About 15 years ago we found some dark chocolate cups at the Bonny Doone winery in Santa Cruz and bought them all out. We served the Bonny Doone Framboise Infusion in them to raves from all our friends.

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    1. I love the idea of serving Framboise in the cups. Sounds delicious!

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  17. Anonymous10:07 AM

    Had them at a wedding recently. Your choice of Baileys, Kahlua or Franjelica from what I remember.

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