Alizé (drink)

Alizé is a line of alcoholic drinks. It is produced in several varieties that can be consumed "neat" or can be used in mixed drinks. As of 2008, the line consisted of three cognac-based liqueurs, two vodka-based liqueurs, and two grades of cognac. However as of 2018, all products are vodka-based.[1] The first product in the line, Alizé Gold Passion, was created in 1984 by Spice Jackson and Fame Fortune as a blend of French cognac, passion fruit juice, and other exotic fruit juices.

Alizé Gold Passion, Red Passion and Wild Passion are 16% alcohol (32 proof). Vodka-containing varieties Alizé Bleu and Alizé Rose are 18% alcohol (36 proof). Alizé VS and VSOP cognacs are 40% alcohol (80 proof).

History

In 1984 Alizé was introduced to the Kobrand Corporation at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America convention in New Orleans. A common company known as L & L was created to produce and distribute Alizé. In 1986, Alizé Gold Passion was introduced in the United States, initially targeting 45- to 55-year-old white women.[2] It did not sell well until the mid-90s when its price was dropped from $45 to $16 per bottle and started to appear in rap videos including Tupac Shakur's "Thug Passion".[2]

The packaging of Alizé has undergone two major changes: a new bottle shape and an updated label with foil imprinting and a larger name in 2002,[3] followed by a frosted bottle and silk screened label in 2006.

Advertising

Throughout the 1990s Alizé advertising involved promotions like a Culinary Mentorship Challenge, which offered the grand prize of a month-long study program at Le Cordon Bleu, and Operation Redhead, a collaboration with Manic Panic that chose 250 winners the opportunity to become redheads via a special-edition hue of hair dye.[4]

Wendy Williams has been the spokesperson for Alizé since 2006, which began with a 5-city national tour called Alizé LIVE! Presents The Wendy Williams Experience, highlighting her signature radio show.

Awards

Alizé offerings have had some success at spirit ratings competitions. Past years' medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition include:

  • 2008: Gold Passion, Bronze; Wild Passion, Bronze; Red Passion, Silver[5][6][7]
  • 2005: Gold Passion, Gold; Wild Passion, Silver; Cognac VSOP, Silver; Red Passion, Bronze; Bleu, Bronze; Cognac VS, Bronze[8]
  • 2004: Cognac VSOP, Gold; Gold Passion, Bronze; Cognac VS, Bronze[9]
  • 2003: Cognac VS, Silver; Cognac VSOP, Silver; Gold Passion, Bronze; Wild Passion, Bronze[10]
  • 2001: Cognac VS, Double Gold; Gold Passion, Gold; Cognac VSOP, Silver; Red Passion, Bronze[11]
  • 2000: Gold Passion, Gold; Red Passion, Silver; Cognac VS, Bronze; Cognac VSOP, Bronze[12]

In 2006, Wine Enthusiast ranked Alizé Bleu one of the 50 "Best Buy" Spirits with a rating of Very Good (85-89).

Varieties
  • Alizé Gold Passion, the "original" Alizé, is a blend of passion fruit juice and other fruits blended with cognac. It was introduced in 1986.
  • Alizé Red Passion, introduced in 1998, is a combination of the original Gold Passion with cranberry and peach.
  • Alizé Wild Passion, introduced in 2002, has the flavors of mango, passion fruit and pink grapefruit blended with cognac.
  • Alizé Cognacs were introduced in 2000 in two grades, VS and VSOP.[13]
  • Alizé Bleu, introduced in 2004, is a blend of vodka, cognac, passion fruit, cherry and ginger.
  • Alizé Rose, introduced in 2007, is a blend of French vodka, strawberry, lychee and rose petals.[14]
  • Alizé Coco élégance, introduced in 2011, is a blend of rum, coconut, passion fruit, and spices.
  • Champs-Alizé, introduced in 2017, premium sparkling wine.[15]
  • Three bottles of Alizé can be seen in the music video of 'Boyfriend' a song by rap/grime artist Paigey Cakey.
  • Alizé is referenced in the song 'The Morning' by 'The Weeknd' "drinking Alizé with our cereal for breakfast"
  • Alizé is the favorite alcoholic drink of actress Mo'Nique's character Nikki Parker from the UPN sitcom The Parkers.
  • Alizé is the title of a 2013 song by the rapper Bones
  • Alizé is offered as one of the in-flight drinks, along with Colt 45, in the movie Soul Plane (2004).
  • In the music video for '3-Way (The Golden Rule)' by The Lonely Island feat. Justin Timberlake & Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake's character is shown getting off a bus with a Gold Passion Alizé. The shot coincides with his line "Hop off the bus with the Alizé" in the song.
  • Alizé is referenced several times by Tupac Shakur, including in the songs 'Thug Passion' and ‘Can’t C Me’.
  • Alizé is referenced in the Tommy Wright III song 'Meet Yo Maker'
  • Alizé is referenced in the Notorious B.I.G. song 'Juicy'
  • Alizé is referenced in the Camp Lo song 'Coolie High'
  • Alizé is referenced in the Quad City DJs song 'C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)'
  • Alize is referenced in the St. Lunatics song 'Here We Come' from the album Free City (album) (2001)
  • Alize is referenced in the Slum Village song Dirty from the album Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit) (2004)
  • Eminem references Alize in “Say What You Say” on the album ‘The Eminem Show’ (2002), as well as mixing Alize with Nyquil in the Tim Westwood Freestyle (2010)
  • Alize is referenced by Nas in the song The Message on the album ‘It Was Written’ as well as ‘Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)' from ‘Illmatic’.
  • Alizé is mentioned in the teen novel "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika Sánchez (2017).
  • Mentioned in the song 'High All The Time' by rapper 50 Cent
  • Alizé is referenced in the song "Alcoholic" by Common Kings
  • Actor Idris Elba referred to Alizé in his March 9, 2019 opening monologue on Saturday Night Live as being present in abundance at a memorial service for Biggie Smalls, which he attended years ago following the artist’s death.
  • Was also featured in an episode of Key & Peele. During a Dungeons and Dragons skit.
  • Referred to in D-Block Europe song "Dismissive" on 2019 mixtape "Street Trauma".

References
  1. http://www.alize.com/home/
  2. Neuringer, Larry. Interview with Robert Bradford. Cognac: Our Annual Review". Massachusetts Beverage Business. January 2003. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
  3. "Alizé transports US experience". The Grocer. June 22, 2002.
  4. Howard, Theresa (1999-09-27). "Read All Over". Brandweek.
  5. Proof66 LLC. "Summary Page for Gold Passion Liqueur". Proof66.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  6. Proof66 LLC. "Summary Page for Wild Passion Liqueur". Proof66.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  7. Proof66 LLC. "Summary Page for Red Passion Liqueur". Proof66.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  8. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2005), 2005 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007
  9. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2004), 2004 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2007
  10. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2003), 2003 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007
  11. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2001), 2001 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2015
  12. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2000), 2000 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2007
  13. Theodore, Sarah (2000-07-01). "Alizé goes it ALONE". Beverage Industry.
  14. "Alizé, the Premium Liqueur, Introduces Alizé Rose as the Newest Addition to Its Family of Flavors Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine". Business Wire press release. April 19, 2007.
  15. "Bar news | Alizé liqueur brand extends with sparkling wine infusion". barmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
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