The Liquid Muse

International Woman’s Day Riddle…

Q: What Do Women and Elephants Have In Common?

A: Both are friends of Amarula Cream Liqueur!

A relative of the mango, the South African marula fruit starts out pale green and by the end of summer, turns a sunny, ripe yellow, falls to the ground and is relished by savannah dwellers, such as the African elephant. People also gather the marula fruit, using its flesh to make jam, and fermenting it to make marula wine and spirits.

Rich, creamy and smooth, Amarula Fruit Cream Liqueur goes down very, very easily all on its own. What makes it extra palatable, however, is knowing that the company ‘gives back.’ The Amarula Elephant Research Programme, based in the School of Biological and Conservation Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban supports conservation, protection and management of the African elephant and its environment.

As a woman in the spirits industry, I am always intrigued by other women in this male-heavy field. Amarula’s Master Distiller is Caroline Snyman, whose pioneering spirit has taken her from chemical engineering into the world of making fine wines, spirits and liqueurs. An acclaimed Cape Wine Master, Caroline started off studying Chemical Engineering in her native Johannesburg. Upon discovering her own passion for the art of winemaking, Caroline followed on with a Master’s degree in wine biotechnology, focusing on the development of brandy yeasts for the world-famous South African brandy industry.

In January 2000, she joined one of South Africa’s premier distillery companies, Distell, where her job included quality control, coordinating research, developing sustainable environmental management systems and developing new brandy products. In April 2004, Caroline received her PhD while studying the influence of base wine composition and wood maturation on the style and quality of brandy. Her research findings have to date been published locally and internationally in specialist journals.

In honor of International Women's Day (March 8th) Amarula Cream celebrates "Inspirational Women" whose courage, strength and perseverance make a difference in the lives of others. Do you know an Extraordinary Woman? Click here to nominate her by sharing her amazing story in 250 words or less. Nominations are accepted March 8 through April 30, 2007. (She could win $10,000!)

While Amarula is absolutely perfect, chilled, on its own, here are some cocktail recipes, courtesy of Amarula Fruit Cream Liqueur:

SAHARAN MARTINI
1 tot Amarula Cream
1 tot Frangelico Liqueur
1/2 tot Vodka

Shake, with ice, and strain into a martini glass.

TUSK AT DUSK
1 tot Amarula Cream
1/2 tot rum
1/2 tot Grand Marnier
1 tot chilled espresso

Shake ingredients and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a flaked chocolate.

VODKA ESPRESSO
1 tot Vodka
1 tot Amarula Cream
2 tot Espresso coffee
2 tsp Caster sugar (or to taste)

Shake coffee, vodka and sugar together with cubed ice, strain into a glass tumbler, and layer Amarula Cream on top. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

AMARULA DOM PEDRO
2 tots Amarula Cream
150 ml vanilla ice-cream
25 ml thick cream

Combine all the ingredients in a blender/shaker. Blend well. Pour into a glass and garnish with chocolate powder or spun chocolate.