Brown Elephant Amarula Cocktail

This Brown Elephant Amarula Cocktail is a bit indulgent, a bit sweet, and a bit deep. Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and it might as well be dessert. It's about to become your new favorite.

I grew up quite sheltered in a small town hundreds of miles from anywhere interesting. We were a working class family, so air travel was often too expensive. We were a family of explorers for sure, but I never made it past Vancouver B.C in Canada until I was 30 yeras old. The first time I got to use my passport was when I moved to Taiwan.

Once there, not only was I immersed in a completely different culture, I also got to meet other English teachers from all over the world. It was what my Sagittarian heart had always desired. It was such a grand adventure. Not to mention, it was also the first time I ever got to hang out with South Africans and try Amarula. That stuff is good.

What makes this cocktail so awesome?

This Brown Elephant Amarula Cocktail is very similar to a mudslide. It's made with Amarula liqueur, coffee liqueur, and milk. This drink is super simple, but so delicious. It's a bit sweet and could even be served as a boozy dessert if you add a drizzle of chocolate syrup to your cocktail glass.

Amarula is similar to an Irish creme liqueur, but it definitely has a fruitier flavor. It's not sugary sweet, but there's a brightness to it that's irresistible. It's a great balance to the bitterness of a coffee liqueur, and the milk just supports the whole thing beautifully, making it a creamy smooth drink. I'm going to be sipping this throughout the fall and winter this year.

Magical Properties of Marula

Apart from the Amarula liqueur, marula is probably best known to Westerners as the fruit that makes elephants drunk. Marula trees actually have a specific sex, and only the female trees can bear fruit. The Venda culture believed that drinking a bark infusion from a male or female marula tree during pregnancy can influence the sex of the baby. The nuts are also given as a symbol of friendship in some African cultures. (Source: Living Lifestyle)

For more on the magical properties of other ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Tips for making a Brown Elephant Amarula Cocktail

There's nothing particularly tricky about making this. If you want chocolate drizzles, add that to the inside of your glass first, then add plenty of ice and pour over your Amarula, coffee liqueur, and milk. Stir before drinking.

For a frothier effect, add your ice and ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it a good shake before adding it to the glass.

If you want to get even fancier with your garnishes, you could also sprinkle on a bit of cocoa powder.

Experiencing other cultures in my kitchen is one of my favorite things about the magic of food and drink. This Brown Elephant Amarula Cocktail is one of my favorites, and I think it will be yours as well.

Looking for more awesome cocktail recipes? Try this Blackcurrant & Lemon Cocktail or a Strawberry Soju Slushie.

Print