Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4337
African Romance During February, at the height of the Afri- can summer, the scent of the ripening fruit of the marula tree floats on the warm wind. Drawn by its fragrance, herds of elephants travel for days to find the trees (hence the marula's nickname, "elephant tree") and gorge themselves on the oval, yellow-hued fruit with its succulent white flesh, which is not only delicious but also rich in vitamin C. Amarula (SRP $19.99) is a unique cream liqueur made from the marula fruit. These protected native African trees, known sci- entifically as Sclerocarya birrea, cannot be cultivated; their fruit can only harvested in the wild, making this luscious liqueur even more special. Globe-trotting mixologist Alex Ott, Brand Ambassador for Amarula, says, "It's great to re-introduce this product to cocktail fanatics around the world and see their reaction to a quality cream liqueur used in mixed drinks. I love this product because it has a great story." Aveníu Brands DID YOU KNOW? In keeping with its ele- phant theme and branding, Amarula donates generously to the Amarula Elephant Research Program, based in Durban, South Africa. Mayan Passion Kahlúa has introduced a special holi- day release, Kahlúa Coffee Cream (SRP $17.99), available nationwide through De- cember. This limited-edition premium coffee liqueur combines Kahlúa–made from hand- picked arabica coffee beans shade-grown in the Veracruz region of Mexico—with fresh, natural cream for an exotic treat that furthers the mythic Mayan intrigue of the world's number-one-selling coffee liqueur. "Kahlúa has long been considered the go-to choice for coffee liqueurs, and we couldn't think of a more natural fit for the Kahlúa family than a cream-based liqueur, says Andy Nash, Brand Director for Kahlúa at Pernod Ricard USA. "Stay- ing true to our reputation for authenticity, we wanted to provide those who know and love Kahlúa with something unique, and we think Kahlúa Coffee Cream is just that. Kahlúa Coffee Cream joins the brand's other expressions: Kahlúa Mocha, Kahlúa French Vanilla, Kahlúa Hazelnut and Kahlúa Espe- cial. Pernod Ricard USA DID YOU KNOW? Pernod Ricard USA is planning an unprecedented investment in advertising for Kahlúa during the holiday season, with new television spots and print ads in targeted publications. Smooth Operators Intriguing on the nose and seductive on the palate, these luscious cream liqueurs from around the world have us completely captivated 80 / the tasting panel / november 2009 Liqueurs