The launch of Mariah Carey’s Irish Cream liqueur is a tribute to her Irish heritage, celebrating her grandparent’s roots in County Cork.
It is a rite of passage for any famous figure to celebrate their success by launching their own product line or collaboration.
Over the years, we’ve seen Lady Gaga cookies, Post Malone Rosé, and Drake champagne, to name but a few. And it seems that our very own Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey is no exception.
Carey has released some incredible products in the past that have sparked intrigue in fans and non-fans alike.
But now, somewhere past the $1,599.99 (€1,366) anti-aging masks, shimmering lip glosses, and Christmas cookies, you’ll find possibly her most exciting launch yet. Mariah Carey has launch her own Irish cream liqueur.
The Internet reveal – the unveiling of Black Irish
On Monday, Carey took to Twitter and Instagram to reveal to fans a glamorous image of her lying on a golden, sunny beach in a sparkling gown, accompanied by a bottle of beloved Black Irish.
“Two years in the making. Truly a cause for celebration!!! @goblackirish,” she captioned the image.
Whilst she may not have captured the essence of Irish weather in the picture, she’s sure to have many Irish fans on her side with the liqueur’s release.
Black Irish is currently available in three flavours: “rich” and “luxurious” Original, “silky smooth” White Chocolate, or “creamy” Salted Caramel.
Mariah Carey’s heritage – ties to Ireland
Mariah Carey comes from a mixed heritage, with her mother Patricia (nee Hickey) being Irish-American and her father Alfred Roy being Venezuelan.
In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she spoke openly about her biracial background. Her own mother, a widowed Irish Catholic woman, was estranged from her family after eloping with a black man.
“Young Patricia had big dreams – many of which she realised. […] Her mother certainly didn’t understand her.”
Carey continued, “My mother not only ignored the moral code of her hometown, she rebelled against it, later becoming active in the Civil Rights movement.”
This is part of the reason why Mariah Carey’s launch of her Irish cream liqueur is so special to her.
Biracial identity – more than just Irish Cream Liqueur
In an interview in 2009, Mariah Carey spoke about how white people “have a difficult time” understanding biracial people.
“It’s, like, my mother’s white – she’s so Irish, she loves Ireland, she’s like, yay, Ireland! Waving the flag and singing When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. And that’s great. I appreciate that and respect it.
“But there’s a whole other side of me that makes me who I am and makes people uncomfortable. My father identified as a black man.”
She continued, “If we were together, people would look at us in a really strange way. It sucked. As a little girl, I had blonde hair, and they’d look at me, look at him, and be disgusted.”
Black Irish – the meaning behind the name
You could be forgiven for thinking that the name refers to the derogatory term used to describe the Norman invaders of Ireland – the Black Irish – but this is not the case.
The release of Mariah Carey’s Irish cream liqueur pays tribute to her family’s heritage. The name Black Irish celebrates her identity as a biracial woman with Irish and Venezuelan roots.
The line is crafted and produced in Ireland, available now online or in liqueur stores.
For $24.99 (€21.33), those captured by Mariah Carey’s dazzling release image can buy Black Irish here, or find out more information on the Irish cream liqueur on the Black Irish website.
