Cha, Cha, Cachaça!

Experience the Caipirinha, Brazil’s most aromatic and tastiest cocktail

After a summer overflowing with margaritas and mojitos, an editor at the Inevitable Gentleman, who was invited to dinner at a friend’s home, and was pleasantly surprised when he was served a Caipirinha for a change. Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail and sadly, virtually unknown in the states. The refreshing concoction is a mixture of fresh lime juice, sugar and cachaça.

Cachaça’s origins date back to the 1500’s, and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as rum, however the two are quite different. Rum is distilled from the molasses of a sugar cane, while cachaça is a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. This important distinction helps give cachaça a lush, grassy flavor.

The Caipirinha’s source is unclear, but like most cocktails and spirits, it was believed to be used as a remedy for illness as far back as the 19th century by Brazilian farmers to help sell their abundant sugarcane crop.

Making one requires some muddling

but unlike other mixed drinks, can be made in its own glass. The key to unlocking the aromatic citrus scent and sweet taste is by muddling the limes with abrasive sugar.

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Ingredients

1 lime, cut into wedges; extra for garnish

2 teaspoons sugar

2 ounces cachaça

Prep

Juice one lime and set liquid aside.

Add juiced lime wedges to a double old fashion glass and muddle with sugar. In the same glass, fill with ice, add the lime juice and cachaça, and stir briefly. Garnish with lime wheel.