Amarula Buyer’s Handbook to Prices and Drinking Tips

Amarula began about 40  years ago in the verdant plains of South Africa. In 1983, the company released its first product to the market: a clear spirit distilled from the rich marula fruit. However, a new era in the history of cream liqueurs was ushered in with the release of the iconic Amarula Cream in 1989.

It represents a symbol of African perseverance, having steadily grown its operations around the world. Amarula was first introduced to Brazil in 1994, ushering in a period of widespread acclaim and sales growth that culminated in the release of a premium variant, Amarula Gold, in 2014.

In the years that followed, the company’s products earned numerous honors for their unique flavors and became a global phenomenon. After only a year on the market, Vanilla Spice (released in 2018) has been named the best cream liqueur in the world. This has paved the way for the introduction of equally intriguing flavors such as Raspberry in 2019, White Chocolate in 2020, and African Baobab in 2021.

The Art of Making Africa’s Essence

Amarula Cream Liqueur, with its roots deep in Africa, pays tribute to its heritage through a production method that is both painstaking and rooted in custom. The story opens in Africa’s subequatorial plains, where the rare marula trees grow and produce their prized golden fruit in the height of summer.

Step 1: Hand-Selection of the Premium Marula Fruits

In the vast plains of subequatorial Africa, Marula trees generously bear the golden treasure that is the essence of Amarula — the Marula fruits. But not all fruits are equal. The creation of Amarula is steeped in meticulous selectivity where artisans, individuals graced with a seasoned eye for quality, hand-pick the finest of marula fruits, ensuring that only the best are chosen for the creation of this soulful liqueur.

Step 2: Distillation to Extract the Spirit

Once the premium marula fruits have been gathered, they undergo a precise distillation process. It’s during this phase that the fruits relinquish their spirit, the pure, clear essence extracted to serve as the backbone of Amarula. This is the pivotal stage where the marula spirit begins to embody a character of its own, ready to embrace the metamorphosis that will take it to unforeseen heights of flavor and complexity.

Step 3: Aging in French Oak Barrels

With a freshly distilled spirit in hand, the next step is a waiting game. The marula spirit is introduced to French oak barrels where it undergoes a maturation process lasting two full years. As the spirit interacts with the wood, a complex relationship unfolds, with the spirit absorbing a depth of flavors, a rich texture, and a nuanced personality. Here in the dark solitude of the barrel, a truly African spirit comes of age, emerging with a fascinating depth and maturity.

Step 4: Crafting the Liqueur with a Signature Creamy Texture

As the spirit completes its two-year rendezvous with the French oak, it is gently retrieved to undergo yet another transformation. A meticulous blend of cream and other secret ingredients is introduced, gifting the spirit with a heavenly creamy texture, a light brown hue reminiscent of a cup of milky coffee, and a melange of unexpected layers of flavors and aromas that delight the senses.

Step 5: Flavors and Aromas

That is how Amarula is born, a creamy liqueur that stands as a symphony of diverse sensory experiences.

Amarula engages your palate and nose, offering a fragrant delight of citrus aromas harmoniously blended with rich vanilla, topped off with a toasted nut scent, engaging you in a full sensory experience.

Amarula Liqueur and Its Costs

It’s important to consider the many sizes, price points, and flavor profiles available to Amarula’s sophisticated clientele.  It is beneficial to acquaint oneself with the varied range of options available. Now, we’ll go into more detail about the different options you have, making it easier for you to choose a product that fits your needs and your budget.

With options catering to varied preferences, you can make an informed decision before procuring this exquisite liqueur that harbors the spirit of Africa.

The Vanilla Spice won an award since it was favorably received by people all over the world. Other flavored editions, such as the Raspberry, White Chocolate, African Baobab, and Ethiopian Coffee, have continued to enrich the range of the brand, while the limited edition Amarula Gold serves as a remembrance of the brand’s golden jubilee celebrations.

As you saw above, Amarula provides a reasonable price range while maintaining a high-quality standard. It is well recognised as a brand that provides excellent value and top-notch quality, even if the prices may vary slightly depending on where you buy it.

Substitutes for Amarula

Although Amarula is dear to many, it’s crucial to consider that different people have different preferences. Tolón-Tolón Whisky Cream, which has been on the market since 1970, and Somrus Indian Cream Liqueur, which made its debut in 2014, are just two of the many options available to individuals who are ready to look beyond Amarula. Also of note are vintage options like 1946’s Gioia Luisa Limoncello Crème and more up-to-date ones like 2011’s Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream.

How Should You Drink Amarula?

The world of Amarula offers a wide variety of ways to delight, not just by drinking it neat or with a cube of ice. The timeless liqueur is included in a wide variety of cocktail recipes, taking their flavor to new heights.

While it is traditionally served straight or over ice, one can amplify the enjoyment by being a bit creative. Here we guide you through some popular ways to appreciate this revered African essence.

Chilled Neat Serving

• Procure a coupe glass for a classic experience, although other glass types will suffice.
• Pour a shot of Amarula into the glass.
• Savor it slowly, letting the rich flavors dance on your palate.
• On the Rocks
• Place a cube or two of ice into your chosen glass.
• Pour Amarula over the ice.
• Stir gently and enjoy the amalgamation of cold and creamy textures.
• Amarula-Based Cocktail Recipes

Citrus Crème Cocktail

This refreshing drink will take your evening to the next level. It has a burst of citrus flavors that go well with the smooth Amarula.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Amarula Cream Liqueur
• 25ml Triple Sec or any orange liqueur
• 25ml Fresh lemon juice
• Ice
• Lemon zest for garnish

Method:

• In a shaker, add Amarula, triple sec, and lemon juice along with a handful of ice.
• Shake vigorously until well chilled.
• Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
• Garnish with a twist of lemon zest.
• Amarula Don Pedro

Delight your taste buds with this popular blend that offers a rich, creamy texture, perfectly balanced with the distinct Amarula notes.

Amarula Don Pedro

Ingredients:

• 60ml Amarula Cream Liqueur
• 30ml Whisky
• 2 Scoops of vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate shavings for garnish

Method:

• In a blender, add Amarula, whisky, and vanilla ice cream.
• Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Pour into a chilled glass.
• Garnish with chocolate shavings on top for a sweet finish.

The Citrus Crème brings a zing of freshness to your evening get-togethers, and the Amarula Don Pedro delivers a wonderful blend of flavors. The brand’s official website features recipes for other fan favorites like Red Velvet Cake and Raspberry Float. Amarula tastes best when served straight or over ice in a coupe glass, but any sort of glass will do.

What You Need to Know

It is important to answer frequently asked questions as we progress through the intriguing history of Amarula. The liqueur is not like wine or spirits because of its smooth consistency. With refrigeration, the excellent shelf life of an unopened bottle can be extended even further to up to 24 months.

If you’re watching your calorie consumption, you can still enjoy a shot of Amarula because the alcohol-free liqueur has only 103 calories per 28.35ml serving. In addition, it meets the requirements of a keto diet, so people on that eating plan can have their cake and eat it too. Amarula is not gluten-free, thus anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should exercise caution when consuming it.

The Myth and Reality in Amarula

At this point, it only makes sense that we find out more about the fascinating backstory of this storied beverage. These amazing creatures have a long history of visiting the marula tree, specifically for its fruit. Amarula’s 2008 establishment of The Amarula Trust to aid in the preservation of wild elephants in Africa and elsewhere in the world is indicative of the company’s commitment to environmental protection.

To honor the company’s longstanding relationship with the elephant community, the 2016 bottle redesign was given the name “Jabulani,” after an orphaned elephant that was successfully restored to the wild.

With Amarula’s long and storied past, careful and expert workmanship, and widely recognized portfolio, it’s a shining example of liqueur excellence.