Saude!

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

Do you desperately want to escape the blisteringly cold, windy, and mundane days of January for a sunny Brazilian beach town -- but can't? Me too. So instead, I am soothing my southern hemisphere wanderlust with a nightly Caipirinha (the national cocktail of Brazil).

Brazil!

Luckily, I was given a first-class lesson in making one by Gary Regan, one of the country's leading spirits experts, who talked through some of the finer points of Cachaca -- Brazilian rum made from sugarcane juice, not molasses (the common ingredient in most rums made outside Brazil). This distinction is what gives Cachaca -- as Gary so aptly put it -- “a *@$&%$*% of character.” After the eye-opening intro, he showed us how to whip up the perfect Caipirinha.

Read on for the recipe >>

Classic Caipirinha

2 ounces Cachaca rum
2 teaspoons granulated sugar or simple syrup
1 lime, cut into quarters

1. Thoroughly muddle sugar and limes in a shaker.
2. Add rum and cracked ice.
3. Shake vigorously and pour contents of shaker, including ice, into glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Variation: Gary suggests adding blood orange wedges or fresh blackberries to step 1 for a tarter or sweeter version of the cocktail.

Comments

[Blueprint]

Thanks to everyone for correcting our Portuguese. Unfortunately special characters show up as jargon on the site so we must omit them. Please know that we have perfect accents when ordering!

[Vânia (with Â)]

I wonder if you could write Saúde with "Ú" and Cachaça with "Ç"...

[Katie]

Another great thing about caipirinhas is that if you drink enough of them, you can lose five pounds two days before your wedding.

Not that I recommend it!

[Maria Lucinda]

Oi!

Thanks for reading the comments and having changed the topic!

Happy Caiparinhas :)
Beijinhos

[Maria Lucinda]

Olá!

I love caipirinha, it is well known in Brazil and Portugal and is one of the must-haves at any get-together. I encourage all readers to try it!

I confirm what Courtney says, its unfortunate the post title has not been changed yet. Plus, it´s cachaÇa rum.

Muitos beijinhos e saúde a todos,
Maria Lucinda

[Courtney]

Note for Kerstin:

I realize this might seem crazy, but in Brazil, the vast majority of the population speaks Portuguese. "Salud" is Spanish; the equivalent word in Portuguese is "saude." It never ceases to amaze me how often presumably educated Americans use Spanish words when referring to Brazil.

[Courtney]

Note for Kerstin:

I realize this might seem crazy, but in Brazil, the vast majority of the population speaks Portuguese. "Salud" is Spanish; the equivalent word in Portuguese is "saude." It never ceases to amaze me how often presumably educated Americans use Spanish words when referring to Brazil.

[caroline]

such a tasty drink. so tasty, it's easy to get carried away!

i look forward to trying this recipe. thanks!

[ToKissTheCook]

Oh YUM. I keep a bottle of Rio D in my liquor cabinet for just such an occasion. Like using Banana Boat for hand lotion in the winter:)