Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/537687
july 2015 / the tasting panel / 103 Exploring Kama Sutra with SomruS The fact that one-fifth of the world's population has been completely unrepresented in terms of liqueurs is about to change with the introduction of the world's first Indian cream liqueur, SomruS. "I had an epiphany on a flight back from India: I wanted a cream liqueur, but all I could get was Bailey's, which is such a Western flavor of coffee and chocolate," says Pankaj (PK) Garg, founder & President of So¯ mPriya Fine Spirits, LLC. "I wanted to create something representing Eastern flavors." Inspired by a traditional creamy Indian dessert called Ras Malai, SomruS's exotic flavors of cardamom, saffron, pistachio, almond and rose are familiar to over one billion consumers. Launched last fall, SomruS is So¯ mPriya's first product and is currently produced in the United States. The brand will also move toward produc- tion in India, its country of inspiration, once the technology there is perfected. "When you look at liqueurs, by definition they are representative of their geog- raphies," Garg says. "Then you look at one-fifth of the world's population and there is absolutely no product in the world representing the flavors and aromas of the Indian subcontinent in 2015!" SomruS literally means "Nectar of the Gods," and it's quickly becoming one of the most-awarded cream liqueurs in the world, winning Cream Liqueur of the Year at last year's New York International Spirits Competition. Given the premium spices that go into its making, the creators of SomruS priced its product at an average retail price of $24.99 to $27.99—with plans for more line-extensions to come. Incidentally, the high-end premium segment of liqueurs and cordials is experienc- ing faster growth than the traditional premium category—38% from 2007 to 2011 and continuing.* A win-win for health-conscious Millennials, SomruS is all-natural, gluten-free and preservative-free, with a two-year shelf life. Much to the brand's surprise, the younger bracket, both male and female, has gravitated toward SomruS in a category typically dominated by an older crowd. Further, 80–85% of their consum- ers are of non-Asian backgrounds. A natural match for Indian food and other spiced cuisines like Thai, Szechuan and Cajun, SomruS is also great for cocktails, poured over fruit and baked into desserts. Mixologists and chefs across the country have created delicious cocktails, cakes, ice creams and even savory fish or shrimp dishes with it. Chai, a Hindi word that means "tea with cream," gets a grown-up boost with a splash of SomruS, which already includes the cream and spices typically added to black tea to make chai. Its versatility is simply refreshing! For more information, visit www.SomruS.com. in terms of liqueurs is about to change with the introduction of the world's first "I had an epiphany on a flight back from India: I wanted a cream liqueur, but all I could get was Bailey's, which is such a Western flavor of coffee and chocolate," says Pankaj (PK) Garg, founder & President of So¯ mPriya Fine Spirits, LLC. "I , SomruS's exotic flavors of cardamom, saffron, pistachio, almond and rose are familiar to over one billion consumers. Launched last fall, SomruS is So¯ mPriya's first product and is currently produced in the United States. The brand will also move toward produc- tion in India, its country of inspiration, once the technology there is perfected. "When you look at liqueurs, by definition they are representative of their geog- raphies," Garg says. "Then you look at one-fifth of the world's population and there is absolutely no product in the world representing the flavors and aromas of the SomruS literally means "Nectar of the Gods," and it's quickly becoming one of the most-awarded cream liqueurs in the world, winning Cream Liqueur of the Year at last year's New York International Spirits Competition. Given the premium spices that go into its making, the creators of SomruS priced its product at an average retail price of $24.99 to $27.99—with plans for more line-extensions to come. Incidentally, the high-end premium segment of liqueurs and cordials is experienc- ing faster growth than the traditional premium category—38% from 2007 to 2011 A win-win for health-conscious Millennials, SomruS is all-natural, gluten-free and preservative-free, with a two-year shelf life. Much to the brand's surprise, the younger bracket, both male and female, has gravitated toward SomruS in a category typically dominated by an older crowd. Further, 80–85% of their consum- A natural match for Indian food and other spiced cuisines like Thai, Szechuan and Cajun, SomruS is also great for cocktails, poured over fruit and baked into desserts. Mixologists and chefs across the country have created delicious cocktails, , a Hindi word that means "tea with cream," gets a grown-up boost with a splash of SomruS, which already includes the cream and spices typically added to black tea to make For more information, visit www.SomruS.com. Tasting Notes SomruS Indian Cream Liqueur White color; carda- mom and almond nose; creamy and smooth with lovely cardamom, rose, almond and pistachio; lush and balanced with notes of vanilla and spice; seamless and quite lovely; made with a rum base. —Anthony Dias Blue Lotus Blossom ◗ 1½ oz. SomruS ◗ 1oz. cognac ◗ 1½ oz. almond milk ◗ ¾ oz. cardamom syrup ◗ ½ oz. Green Chartreuse ◗ Add all ingredients to shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with rose smoke (dried rose petals run through a smoking gun or ignite dried rose petals and cover with drinking glass *Distilled Spirits Council of the United States