Have you ever heard of Cachaça (pronounced ka-sha-sa)? If you’re a fan of rum or simply enjoy amazing spirits, you’re in for a treat. Brazil’s national spirit, cachaça, is sometimes overlooked in favour of its Caribbean cousin, rum. Packed with character, history, and a flavour profile that truly represents its tropical origins, this sugarcane-based spirit is truly unique and deserves your attention!
Cachaça, A Must-Try Tropical Spirit From Brazil
A distilled spirit made from fresh sugarcane juice, think of cachaça as a Brazilian sibling to rum, but not a twin. With a brighter, earthier, and herbaceous flavour, cachaça is made from fresh sugarcane juice, whereas most rums are made from molasses. Known locally by hundreds of names, like pinga and água-benta (holy water!), cachaça is Brazil’s favourite tipple. In fact, Brazilians consume over a billion litres of it every year, mostly in the form of the national cocktail: the Caipirinha.
Cachaça’s story began in 1532, when Portuguese colonists brought sugarcane and distilling techniques from Madeira to Brazil. Soon, it became an important part of the nation’s agricultural and cultural scenario. Its popularity rose so high, this local spirit competed with imported European spirits, so much so that it was even banned by the Portuguese crown. But that didn’t stop the Brazilians. They just got creative and gave it underground nicknames like “limpa-olho” (eye-wash) and “bafo-de-tigre” (tiger breath)!
How Is It Different From Rum?
Though both are born from sugarcane, cachaça is not rum in the traditional sense. Molasses, a sugar by-product, is used to make rum, whereas fresh sugarcane juice is used to make cachaça. Made only in Brazil, cachaça retains the sugarcane flavour even after distillation. It has a fruity, grassy, and herbal taste. Rum, on the other hand, has a neutral profile with a sweet, caramel-like taste and is produced across the world.
Cachaça comes in two main styles, Branca (White or Silver) and Amarela/Ouro (Yellow or Gold) and can be enjoyed in many ways:
- The iconic Caipirinha is the best way to enjoy this spirit. This refreshing cocktail only needs muddled lime, sugar, cachaça, and lots of ice.
- You can also use it to replace white rum in cocktails like mojitos and daiquiris.
- To truly appreciate the tropical flavours of aged cachaça, you must sip it neat.
Ever tried cachaça before? If not, let Brazil’s favourite spirit surprise you!
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