Answer: Although the two are often pronounced as though they are the same thing, they are not. Chocolate liquor and chocolate liqueur are very different products.
Chocolate liquor, which contains no alcohol, is made by grinding the nib, or meat, of the cocoa bean. It’s a thick, gritty, dark brown paste that liquefies when heated. Chocolate liquor is comprised of about half cocoa butter and half cocoa solids (cocoa solids are what remains when the bean is ground and the cocoa butter is removed). Chocolate liquor is also called unsweetened baking chocolate.
Chocolate liqueur, on the other hand, does contain alcohol. It is an alcoholic base (typically vodka) to which some form of chocolate or chocolate flavor has been added. Other flavors, such as orange or coffee or caramel, may also be present, and it’s likely that the liqueur will be sweetened, as well.
Chocolate liquor and chocolate liqueur are indeed very different products, but each is useful in its own way. Just don’t try substituting one for the other!