Cachaça: Brazilian national drink



Cachaça is made from sugar cane plant like rum. The major difference is rum is usually made from molasses, a by-product from refineries that boil the cane juice to extract as much sugar crystals as possible. It is made from fresh sugarcane juice that's fermented and distilled.



History

Cachaça is the national spirit of Brazil and the key ingredient in the caipirinha, a traditional cocktail.

History of Cachaça goes back to 400 year ago when plantation owners began serving the liquid to their slaves after noticing that the drive would increase vigor. Over the years better distilled Cachaças were developed and soon people started to drink it on dinner tables in colonial Brazil. Shortly after slavery was banned in 1888, the monarchy was ousted and progressive leaders decleared Brazil a modern Republic, national proide began to sugar throughout the country.

By the 1920s, Cachaça had become a symbol of Brazilian identity, produced and consumed throughout the nation by diverse ethic and social groups. Caipirinhas and other tropical cocktails are usually made with un-aged Cachaça. Until now, the only Cachaça available in the US were some of Brazil's most ordinary, which sell for $1-$3 US in Brazil. Beleza Pura Cachaça is Cachaça of a different caliber altogether: made with no additives and using a specialized column-distillation process to remove impurities, it offers Cachaça and Caipirinha lovers the purest spirit available in the US market.

Aged cachaca

Aged cachaca come in shades ranging from gold to amber and deserve to be sipped, like a fine tequila or single malt Scotch. In Brazil, artesian Cachaça sell anywhere between $15 to $400 per bottle. Excalibur Enterprise produces handcrafted, artisan Cachaças and they are available in the U.S. market. These Cachaças are wood-aged for 2-16 years, with earthy flavors similar to tequila and aromas of balsam, cinnamon and oak.

Caipirinha Pronounced 'KIE-PUR-REEN-YAHS'

This fresh, exotic cocktail is becoming as hot among international crowds as it is on Copacabana Beach. The traditional caipirinha blends Cachaça, sugar cane, lime juice and ice. The traditional Caipirinha is a Brazilian cocktail made with Cachaça, sugar, and crushed limes, served over ice. It is always muddled (crushed with a masher or the blunt end of a wooden spoon). Make sure to muddle in a shaker or a sturdy, non-breakable glass. You can also try replacing lime with about 1/2 cup of fresh tangerine, star fruit, passion fruit, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, orange, mango, grape, guava, figs, etc.

THE BELEZA CAIPIRINHA

- 1 lime sliced into 8 pieces
- 2 tsp sugar or 2 oz Simple syrup
- 2 oz Beleza Pura Super Premium Caipirinha
- 1/2 cup of crushed ice


Wash the lime gently under water and dry. Cut the limes, add sugar, muddle gently in a non-breakable glass to crush the fruit but not release too much of the oils from the skin. Add ice and Cachaça, and shake, shake, shake. Serve in a large rocks glass. Make two, and head for the closest beach with someone special.

THE BELEZA MOJO

- 2 1/2 oz Beleza Pura Super Premium Cachaça
- 1 lime, sliced into 8 pieces
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 2 tsp sugar or 2 oz Simple syrup
- AÊdrop of bitters
- Splash of soda


Wash the lime gently under water and dry. Cut the limes, place 7 pieces in a non-breakable glass, add sugar and mint and muddle gently.Ê Add ice, Beleza Pura Super Premium Cachaça, and bitters, then shake, shake, shakeÉ Finish with a splash of soda and serve in a tall glass. Garnish with 1 slice of lime and mint sprig.