Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
Tres Leches Triple Cream Liqueur Launched in 2009, Tres Leches has become one of the stars amongst the cream liqueurs in the marketplace. Tim Livesay, President of the brand's parent, Western Spirits, com- ments, "Our company wanted to present a unique and different product to the con- sumer. Tres Leches is versatile, mixes well and is easily incorporated in a variety of cocktails." Livesay adds, "You can now find it across America." It is available in 49 states. ROKA Liqueur Brothers Ryan and Brent Elam were in Spain when they first were inspired by the flavor that would ignite a brand called ROKA. "We tasted a chilled shot of a caramel liqueur," Ryan Elam told THE TASTING PANEL. "The flavor profile was authentic and delicious." They soon brought the liquid to the States and named their liqueur after the memorable bar in Marbella. Just in the marketplace as of December, 2011, Roka Beverage, Inc. has introduced three new and distinc- tive fun yet serious liqueurs—Apple, Chocolate and Caramel. President Ryan Elam comments, "l love these liqueurs because the flavors are distinct, with the zing of pure spirits. The Apple reminds me of the Granny Smith because of its aromas and the bite of that delicious fruit. The Chocolate captures the trueness of baker's and smoothness of milk chocolate; and caramel brings me back to my child- hood, when my grandmother had her famous caramel squares in a candy jar." These versatile liqueurs are perfect for the lounge atmosphere as well as for shot drink- ers looking for flavor without the burn. In my tasting of the ROKA Liqueurs, I found distinctive hard-candy flavors in the Apple; round, sweet flavors of milk and dark baker's chocolate in the Chocolate with a hint of black tea; and buttered, caramel popcorn in the Caramel. They all showed a pleasing, but not over-the-top sweetness. We're taking ROKA flavors to the test next month when our own Phil Adler will come up with a unique recipe in his Cocktail for Geeks feature. Watch for it! rokabev.com november 201 1 / the tasting panel / 69 Indeed in my tasting of the Tres Leches, I was enticed by its rum and cream flavors; it's long and lush on the palate. This is a real winner—named after tres leches cake, a milk-based sponge cake with Latin American origins—and truly offers a new twist to the category. treslechesliqueur.com SWEET TALK COCKTAIL: French Cream Martini ■ ■ ■ 2 oz. Tres Leches Triple Cream Liqueur 1½ oz. ultra-premium vodka Shake with ice. Strain into a Martini glass.