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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Amarula Caffè Mocha (Ranger's Special)

    Published: December 7, 2020 | Last Modified: November 4, 2021 by Gail Ng | Leave a Comment

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    This Amarula caffè mocha or Ranger’s Special, as I know it as, is a warming and delicious mix of hot chocolate and coffee. It’s spiked with Amarula Cream Liqueur to add a special creamy and slightly fruity taste of the Marula fruit. It works incredibly well together and it has become one of my most special warm and cozy drinks.

    This post was sponsored by Amarula Cream Liqueur to help bring a taste of Africa to your home. All opinions and experiences are my own. Please enjoy responsibly.

    I was first introduced to Amarula Cream Liqueur on my trip to South Africa last year. On our first morning safari in Kruger National Park, our guide and tracker cheekily handed us camp mugs filled with a piping hot, creamy drink to warm our hands that they called a "Ranger's Special". It's a common and well-loved drink that rangers and guides enjoy in the bush. They had been boasting about this drink all morning. They intently watched as we took our first sips because they knew it was good.

    One sip and I was in love with this slightly fruity, sweet, coffee-based drink. Smell and taste can be forever tied with the experience and feelings we have from a specific moment. Every time I make this drink at home, I'm transported back to that moment in time. It brings back memories of standing next to a 4x4 in the bush as the sun rose. Taking a break from tracking animals that I never dreamt of seeing in the wild.

    Hands holding a mug of Amarula caffè mocha

    What is Amarula Cream Liqueur?

    Amarula is a velvety cream liqueur with a hint of toffee, vanilla and long-lasting finish from the Marula fruit.

    Unlike Irish cream liqueurs, that are often Irish whiskey blended with cream, Amarula is fruit-based, with its spirit derived from the Marula tree, which grows wild in subequatorial regions of Africa - the only place on the entire planet where they can be found.

    The trees bear fruit just once a year at the end of Africa’s summer. The scent of the Marula fruit attracts elephants from the surrounding areas who come to feast on the fruit. This inspired the shape of the African elephant's tusks sculpted into the sides of the bottle.

    The Marula fruit is picked from these trees, fermented, and distilled in copper stills to convert it into a spirit. Then, it's aged in French oak barrels for two years before blending with cream.

    Pouring Amarula cream liqueur into a mug of hot chocolate and coffee

    How to enjoy Amarula in coffee

    Coffee is one of the most popular and easiest ways to enjoy Amarula. Although, not a coffee liqueur, it adds a special, unexpected dimension to your everyday coffee that is so delicious.

    You can simply add Amarula to your regular, everyday hot or iced coffee. It will add a bit of sweetness so you can eliminate the usual sugar you might add to your coffee.

    In this Amarula Caffè Mocha recipe, the cream liqueur is added to a mix of hot chocolate and coffee for a sweet and indulgent hot drink.

    Since you can use instant hot chocolate and coffee powders, this drink is incredibly easy to make on the go, while camping, or just quickly at home. It's no wonder it's a favourite drink to whip up when outdoors for a warm and comforting cup any time.

    Holding a mug of Amarula caffe mocha in hands

    Where to buy Amarula?

    You can find Amarula Cream Liqueur in liquor stores in your area. In BC, it's readily available at BC Liquor Stores. Look for a tall, brown, sculpted bottle with a gold tassel, made by the hands of empowered African women, around the neck of the bottle, and elephant illustration on the label.

    This season, Amarula makes a beautiful gift, a gift from the Marula tree. Make your desserts extra special during the holidays. Enjoy Amarula with loved ones to elevate your coffee, cocktail, and dessert recipes this holiday. Good friends gift wine, great friends gift Amarula.

    A mug of Amarula caffe mocha on wooden board with twinkle lights

    Other Amarula recipes to try

    • Iced Coconut Amarula Latte
    Pouring Amarula cream liqueur into a mug of hot chocolate and coffee

    Amarula Caffè Mocha (Ranger's Special)

    Author: Gail Ng
    Amarula caffè mocha, or better known as a Ranger's Special in the African bush, is a warming and comforting mix of hot chocolate, coffee, and Amarula cream liqueur
    5 from 1 vote
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Yield 1 12oz cup
    Category Drinks
    Cuisine African

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoons hot chocolate mix
    • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
    • 10 oz hot water
    • 2 oz Amarula Cream Liqueur

    Instructions
     

    • In your favourite mug, add the hot chocolate powder and espresso powder.
    • Add the hot water and stir to completely dissolve the powders. 
    • Add Amarula and give it a quick stir to combine before enjoying!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keywords amarula coffee, amarula drink, amarula hot chocolate, caffe mocha
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment & rating to let us know how it was and tag your Instagram posts with @teakandthyme!
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    Hi, I'm Gail! I'm just a Canadian girl with a major sweet tooth making desserts on the internet. Let me show you how you can make bakery-worthy desserts at home that will have you wondering why you haven't opened your own café yet.

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