PRODUCT #01: AMARULA, "THE SPIRIT OF AFRICA" REVIEW

Mav and I have an extensive liquor cabinet. Due to job constraints and the current economic climate, we keep a well-stocked bar. Drinks on the town are too expensive for what we’ll typically get: something that is off-balance, weak and/or nuclear colored. Throw in late working hours, the immediate proximity of a comfortable bed… and, most nights, it just makes more sense to drink at home. You can call us lushes but don’t call us stupid. This is the life...

While we’re talking luxury… out of sheer dedication to the craft of cocktail mixing, I actually went to South Africa to pick up a bottle of this creamy ambrosia called Amarula. Okay, well, not precisely. A generous elder family member rounded up the offspring and hauled us all over there for a two-week safari (I can’t complain)! We sampled South African wines outside Cape Town and spent several days “roughing it” in Kruger National Park. If this were an adventure/travel blog, I could spend pages detailing the trip; but in the spirit of the majestic animals we encountered in the bush, I’ll cut right to the chase. If you have the means, go there.Amarula Fruit Cream

My curiosity for this liqueur preceded my trip to South Africa, so I was very excited to learn more about Amarula from its native drinkers. Since apartheid, South Africa’s government has been working to increase the country’s global visibility and share the spoils of its break-taking and richly endowed land. In the alcohol sector, South Africa has found international markets for their South African wines, delicious brandies and Amarula. The brandy may be a little hard to come by, but most Americans should be able to find a nice South African wine and a bottle of Amarula in a nearby liquor store.

As the label mentions, Amarula is derived from a fruit grown on Africa’s Marula trees. The sweet Marula bark is a favorite food source for roaming elephants and it’s common to see partially stripped trees while wandering the bush. Our guide also mentioned it’s common for natives to use Marula leaves for tea. Amarula is basically produced with Marula fruit juice and the additions of sugar, alcohol and cream. The final product tastes like an exotic caramel cream. The fruitiness is a definite undertone but it’s by no means overpowering.

Amarula is a very creamy liqueur and has a heavy, luxurious mouth feel. In terms of viscosity, I’d say it’s a close approximate to Bailey’s Irish Cream. In a mixed drink with lots going on, Amarula and Bailey’s are interchangeable but there are some definite differences in flavor. Amarula is sort of the premium vanilla to Bailey’s rich chocolate. Amarula really shines when you let those fruity, exotic undertones shine. The liqueur is great over ice and it stands up well to orange and citrus vodkas as well as rum. Mav and I have already concocted a slew of drinks with this delightful South African import. We’ll be sure to share but, until then, get this drink into your bar.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Typical Price: $20 - $25

Bonus Shot: The Springbok

This is a traditional South African shot/sipper named after one of the myriad of deer species roaming the bush. Best served chilled. Tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream!

1 ounce crème de menthe (clear/green)
½ ounce Amarula, floated on top

Bye.

Meres