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 2020, the line consists of eight vodka-based liqueurs, all of which are 16% alcohol (32 proof). The products are Alizé Gold Passion, Red Passion, Bleu Passion, Peach, Apple, Pink Passion, Pineapple, and Mango. Each of these liqueurs is a blend of French vodka, passion fruit juice, and other exotic fruit juices.

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.[1] 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".[1]

The packaging of Alizé has undergone three major changes: a new bottle shape and an updated label with foil imprinting and a larger name in 2002,[2] followed by a frosted bottle and silk screened label in 2006, and the transition to a clear bottle for all flavors in 2007.

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.[3] From 2016 to 2017, Alizé sponsored Tupac’s movie “All Eyez on Me,” and in 2018, Alizé partnered with The Doughnut Project to create a limited time only rose-colored doughnut with crème filling topped with an Alizé Pink liqueur and lime glaze, complete with a candied lime finish.

Wendy Williams was the spokesperson for Alizé from 2006 to 2007. Her activities included 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[4][5][6]
  • 2005: Gold Passion, Gold; Wild Passion, Silver; Cognac VSOP, Silver; Red Passion, Bronze; Bleu, Bronze; Cognac VS, Bronze[7]
  • 2004: Cognac VSOP, Gold; Gold Passion, Bronze; Cognac VS, Bronze[8]
  • 2003: Cognac VS, Silver; Cognac VSOP, Silver; Gold Passion, Bronze; Wild Passion, Bronze[9]
  • 2001: Cognac VS, Double Gold; Gold Passion, Gold; Cognac VSOP, Silver; Red Passion, Bronze[10]
  • 2000: Gold Passion, Gold; Red Passion, Silver; Cognac VS, Bronze; Cognac VSOP, Bronze[11]

In 2007, Wine & Spirits ranked Alizé Gold Passion as one of "10 Most Influential Spirits Brands of the Past 25 Years."

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

In 2006, Spirit Journal named Alizé Gold Passion as a "Best Buy" spirit with 3 Stars.

Varieties
  • Alizé Gold Passion, the "original" Alizé, is a blend of passion fruit juice and other fruits blended with vodka. It was introduced in 1986.
  • Alizé Red Passion, introduced in 1998, is a combination of the original Gold Passion with cranberry and peach.
  • Alizé Bleu Passion, introduced in 2004, is a blend of vodka, passion fruit, cherry, and ginger.
  • Alizé Peach
  • Alizé Apple
  • Alizé Pink Passion
  • Alizé Pineapple, introduced in 2019.
  • Alizé Mango, introduced in 2020.
  • 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 Snoop Dogg song 'Let's Get Blown'
  • 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.
  • Alizé is referenced in an episode of Key & Peele, during a Dungeons and Dragons sketch.
  • Referred to in D-Block Europe song "Dismissive" on 2019 mixtape "Street Trauma".
  • Alizé is referenced in the 2014 song "9TS (90s Baby)" by Redlight.
  • Indiana Pacers power forward Alize Johnson is named after the drink.
  • Alizé is referenced in a number of songs by Jay-Z, including "Can I get A..."

References
  1. Neuringer, Larry. Interview with Robert Bradford. Cognac: Our Annual Review". Massachusetts Beverage Business. January 2003. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
  2. "Alizé transports US experience". The Grocer. June 22, 2002.
  3. Howard, Theresa (1999-09-27). "Read All Over". Brandweek.
  4. Proof66 LLC. "Summary Page for Gold Passion Liqueur". Proof66.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  5. Proof66 LLC. "Summary Page for Wild Passion Liqueur". Proof66.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  6. Proof66 LLC. "Summary Page for Red Passion Liqueur". Proof66.com. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  7. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2005), 2005 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007
  8. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2004), 2004 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2007
  9. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2003), 2003 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007
  10. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2001), 2001 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2015
  11. San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2000), 2000 Award Winning Spirits (PDF), San Francisco, California, archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2007
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