AMARULA: An African Original

WHAT IS AMARULA?

Amarula is a cream liqueur made from the nutritious marula fruit only found in the Sub-Saharan African countries of South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Zimbabwe.  Elephants love eating the fruit of the marula tree, which is why it’s the symbol of the liqueur.

HOW IS AMARULA MADE?

To begin the process, the marula fruit’s flesh is separated from its seeds. The pulp is first transferred to cooling tanks to prevent uncontrolled fermentation, and then further transferred to cellars where it is fermented under conditions similar to wine making. After fermentation, the marula wine is distilled twice to give it a rich, creamy flavor.

HOW TO DRINK AMARULA

Many times Amarula is mixed with Kahlua, milk and coffee since it’s a cream liqueur; however, I found this less traditional recipe online and made it at home.  So delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Amarula Cream

• 1/2 oz citrus vodka

• 2 1/2 oz lychee juice

• 3/4 oz ruby red grapefruit juice

• Lychee fruit for garnish

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker glass filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously and strain into glass.

3. Garnish with lychee fruit on the rim, if desired.

Sounds totally refreshing, right? I should have taken pictures but I was too anxious to try it.  Bottoms up!

Photo Credit: Amarula.com

*While this post is sponsored by Colangelo & Partners Public Relations, all opinions expressed are my own.

SAPPORO: Japanese Beer

WHAT IS SAPPORO?

When you think beer, Japan isn’t the first country to come to mind. However, Sapporo is the oldest brewery in Japan and the #1 selling Asian beer in the U.S.  The brewery is named for the Japanese city in which it was first brewed.

HISTORY OF SAPPORO

Sapporo was originally brewed in 1876 by brewmaster Seibei Nakagawa, who studied beer making in Germany using Bavarian hops.  As legend tells it, Nakagawa was sent to Germany to learn about brewing after hops were found growing on Hokkaido, Japan’s second largest island. Nakagawa learned German techniques and fell in love with the craft of making great beer. In June of 1876, Nakagawa was appointed as brewmaster to oversee the construction of the Kaitakushi Brewery. The following year, Sapporo Lager was born.

TYPES OF SAPPORO

Today, Sapporo is available in three distinct types: Sapporo Premium, Sapporo Light and Sapporo Reserve. Each beer is food friendly, perfectly balanced and widely available in the US.

This Oktoberfest, when the world is enjoying beer from other nations, give Japan’s signature Sapporo a try. With an undeniably strong connection to German beer-making, ordering a Sapporo with your sausage and sauerkraut will surely be a great conversation starter.

Cheers!
Ashlee

*This post is sponsored by Colangelo & Partners Public Relations. All opinions expressed are my own.