The winner of Amarula’s Retro & Renew bloggers’ competition to find a new-generation version of a classic original cocktail, is Lover’s Revenge, a drink inspired by the White Russian.
Conceived by blogger Clare Mack of spill.co.za, the cocktail was judged the most exciting and novel of the close on 60 entries. The panel of two mixologists, a leading food and drinks designer and members of the Amarula marketing team chose it on the basis of originality, taste and presentation.
The drink is made with Amarula, milk, a crème de cacao liqueur, as well as pomegranate seeds. As judge Jonathan Jeftha of Thirst said: “It not only looked and tasted good but the pomegranate seeds left at the bottom of the glass when drained, added an element of drama. They looked like glowing rubies and matched wittily with the name of the cocktail.” Describing the context in which Lover’s Revenge should be enjoyed, Mack suggested a “girls’ night out, bachelorette party, or when a lot of highly amusing gossip is going on between a group of women. Ex-boyfriends, husbands and lovers should be the main topic of discussion.”
Open to bloggers and online media, the challenge required entrants to work from a classic cocktail recipe and by including Amarula, give it a fresh and contemporary touch.
Speaking on behalf of the panel, Christelle Bester of Amarula said: “We were thrilled at the response to the challenge and the high number of entries, given that contestants not only had to devise a cocktail but also suggest a name and where and when to drink it, as well as how it should be served. It took a lot of time and effort. “There were so many excellent entries but in the end, we had to narrow them down in terms of the ease with which the cocktails could be assembled.
“Although we have chosen only one winner, we have decided to compile a collection of the six best cocktails. These will be professionally styled and photographed and will be featured on our website. Of course, the originators of the recipes will be acknowledged.
Mack wins a luxury safari getaway for two, for two nights and three days at the Kapama River Lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve situated between the northern Drakensberg Mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park. The prize includes evening game drives, spa treatments and an elephant ride in the bushveld.
The other five cocktails that will be photographed and featured on Amarula’s website are, Nirvana by Chocolate by Martin van Oordt (Ymartiny.co.za), Amarula Mint Music Muddle by Sue Northam (Samusicinlondon.blogspot.com), Dark Roast Amarula by Deidre Rosenberg (Love4adventure.co.za), Elephant Riviera by Sarah Fell (Onesmallseed.co.za) and Skew’s me by Juan Geel (Skew.co.za).
