Amarula
The marula fruit cream liqueur, with an elephant on the label. Everything about the alcohol percentage, aging in French oak, and the glass that goes with it.
A fruit that grows only in the wild
Amarula is made from the marula, a fruit that grows on wild trees in southern Africa. These trees aren't cultivated: the fruit is harvested from trees that grow naturally, during a short period at the end of summer. Because elephants love the ripe fruit that falls from the trees, the marula is also known as the elephant tree, and an elephant appears on the label.
The fruit is first made into wine, which is then distilled. The distillate is aged for two years in small French oak barrels, and only then is cream added. This is what sets it apart from many other cream liqueurs, which are usually based on neutral alcohol or whisky. At 17% ABV, it tastes of caramel, vanilla, and soft citrus, with a fresh note that makes it less heavy than you might expect.
In brief
Amarula and similar cream liqueurs
There are three bottles of Amarula itself here. These other cream liqueurs play the same role, but have a different base.
Amarula
The standard bottle: caramel, vanilla, and a fresh citrus note over the cream. Best served ice-cold or over crushed ice.
Amarula Cream 1 liter
The same liqueur in a one-liter bottle. Handy if you use it often in coffee or desserts.
Amarula Gin
Not a cream liqueur, but a gin infused with marula, at 43%. A completely different product from the same brand, made for tonic.
Baileys Original
The best-known cream liqueur, made with Irish whiskey. Richer and sweeter than Amarula, with less fruit.
Bumbu Cream
Rum-based cream liqueur with banana and caramel. Sweeter and richer than Amarula.
Choose Amarula if you want fruitiness and freshness in a cream liqueur; Baileys if you’re after something rich and sweet.
Caramel and vanilla, with citrus underneath
Caramel & vanilla
Sweet caramel and vanilla, with cream and a light, almost tropical fruit note from the marula.
Creamy yet fresh
Full and creamy, with caramel, chocolate, and coffee, but less cloying than most cream liqueurs thanks to the citrus underneath.
Smooth and short
A short, smooth finish with vanilla and a slight bitter edge from the oak. At 17%, there’s no bite.
Amarula’s flavor profile. Baileys and Bumbu Cream score higher on sweetness and lower on fruitiness; Amarula Gin is in a category of its own here at 43%.
Three ways to drink Amarula
Cream and alcohol don’t last forever: refrigerate the bottle after opening and finish it within six months or so.
Over crushed ice
Pour 6 cl over a glass full of crushed ice in a heavy tumbler. The ice dilutes it slightly and makes the liqueur fresher; this is how it’s most often served in South Africa itself.
Glass: tumbler →In coffee
A generous splash in black coffee instead of sugar and milk. The caramel and vanilla dissolve into the coffee, leaving you with dessert in a cup.
Coffee cocktails →Over ice cream or dessert
Pour a splash over vanilla ice cream, brownies, or sticky date pudding, warm or cold. The liqueur works just as well in the kitchen as it does in a glass and is sweet enough to replace sauce.
More about storage →Dom Pedro with Amarula: step-by-step recipe
Dom Pedro is a South African dessert in a glass: vanilla ice cream with liqueur, briefly blended into a thick milkshake. Amarula is the most popular choice.
What you need
3 scoops of vanilla ice cream (about 150 grams)
5 cl Amarula
2 cl whipping cream or whole milk
A little grated dark chocolate
How to make it
1. Leave the ice cream out of the freezer for five minutes so it softens a little.
2. Put the ice cream, Amarula, and cream in a blender.
3. Blend for five to ten seconds, just until smooth; blending for longer will make it thin.
4. Pour it into a chilled coupe or a small tumbler.
5. Grate some chocolate over it and serve with a small spoon.
Tip
Prefer it warm? Pour 4 cl of Amarula into a cup of fresh coffee and top with a dollop of whipped cream. For more creamy winter drinks, see the Eggnog and winter cocktails. Browse our coupe glasses.
Cocktails with Amarula
Anywhere you can use Baileys, you can use Amarula too: the difference is that you get a little more fruitiness.
Mudslide
Vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream liqueur. Amarula makes it fruitier than the original.
White Russian
Vodka with coffee liqueur and cream. Replace the cream with Amarula and it instantly adds extra flavor.
Espresso Martini
Vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur. A splash of Amarula makes it smoother and sweeter.
Brandy Alexander
Cognac, crème de cacao, and cream. Amarula takes the place of the cream.The right glass for Amarula
A heavy tumbler for over ice, a liqueur glass for the table. These are the glasses we recommend.
Everything else you wanted to know about Amarula
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What percentage alcohol is Amarula?
What is Amarula made from?
Why is there an elephant on the bottle?
How long does Amarula last after opening?
What's the difference between Amarula and Baileys?
Can you drink Amarula warm?
Buy Amarula
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Amarula online at Gall & Gall.
Prices from November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
