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SomruS Indian Cream Liqueur ($25) may have been on the market only 18 months, but it's a standout star in the category. Many countries much smaller than India have a liqueur that represents their nation, whether it's Irish cream or German schnapps, yet India has lacked a national liqueur—until now. Owner and founder Pankaj Garg was influenced by spices traditionally used in Indian cuisine to create SomruS, with flavors of almond, cardamom, saffron, pistachio and rose. As such, it's a natural fit to be paired with tea and create tea-based cocktails. According to Garg, "Indians obviously know a lot about spices and tea. We love how much we've seen SomruS used with tea, from consumers to hotels and upscale private clubs. Whether it's hot or cold, it's a wonderful way to turn an everyday drink into something extraordinary. The liqueur is popular with Millennials, whom Garg describes as "foodies, a genera- tion that wants new and interesting flavors and to expand their palates both in cuisine and cocktails. SomruS can be used in both, especially desserts." SomruS is an all-natural product, gluten-free with no preservatives, also an important factor to health- conscious Millennials who are careful about what they put in their bodies. Recently, a taster succinctly stated that "SomruS helps me feel beautiful inside and out!" Upscale stores and chains like Whole Foods, Mariano's, Binny's, Wine Chateau and Total Wine & More carry SomruS in the states they are in. Although the company is based in Chicago and the product is made in Wisconsin, it is preparing for a national rollout across the U.S. SomruS has also started working with international airlines and retailers to carry the liqueur, truly making it a global product. SomruS has plans to expand across major channels in the future, but they're keeping mum on what's in store for the company. Garg only allows a small sneak peek at what's coming: "Expect one to two new expressions in the upcoming year!" —Jesse Hom-Dawson For more information, visit www.SomruS.com. CATEGORY REPORT july 2016 / the tasting panel / 103 A Standout Star with SomruS Indian Cream Liqueur S O M R U S I C E D T E A 2 oz. chilled SomruS 6 oz. chamomile, green or litchi tea Fresh blueberries, raspberries or strawberries Prepare selected tea and refrigerate without adding ice. After tea has cooled, add chilled SomruS. To serve, pour into a Collins glass filled with ice and garnish with your choice of fresh fruit. For more information, visit www.SomruS.com TA S T I N G N O T E S White color; cardamom 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 Why we like SomruS for summer: It adds a creamy Indian-influenced flavor to any cold cocktail! SOMPRIYA PHOTO COURTESY OF SOMRUS SomruS Indian a standout star represents their German schnapps, liqueur—until now. was influenced by cuisine to create cardamom, saffron, natural fit to be paired cocktails. According a lot about spices seen SomruS hotels and hot or cold, everyday The whom tion that and to expand and cocktails. Cream Cream C