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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Amarula recipes to try
Amarula Caffè Mocha (Ranger's Special)
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!
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