But since you can read all about the Rio Olympics on any number of news outlets, and this blog is for cocktail recipes, I guess I’d better get to the point and tell you about this week’s drink- the caipirinha.
The WHAT?
I’m sure some of you have heard of the caipirinha, (which is exotically pronounced kai-pur-EEN-ya) especially those of you closely following the Olympics.  It’s the so-called national drink of Brazil. It’s been featured in many Brazilain and/or Olympics stories by media outlets that are looking for ways to keep viewers engaged. I’ve been curious about the caipirinha for awhile now, so I figured it was a good time to invest in a bottle of cachaca and mix up a Brazilian cocktail.
Cachaca, another exotically pronounced Portugese word, (can you say kah-SHAH-suh?) is a rum distilled from fresh sugarcane. This is unlike most rums, which are distilled from molassas. But knowing that doesn’t give you any idea of the flavor of cachaca. And I’m not going to be a big help either, because I can only tell you that it tastes different than Bacardi or Captain Morgan. It kind of tastes like rum, but with a more sharp, masculine bite to it (but not in a sweaty locker room kind of way). Some people describe it as smoky or akin to scotch, but I’m not sure that’s an apt comparison either.  It might be one of those flavors that is an acquired taste.  All I can suggest is to be adventurous and order a caipirinha in a bar if you don’t want to buy an entire bottle of cachaca (although I purchased a bottle for $14, not a huge investment). And if you are gearing up for your own Olympics party this weekend and want to serve Olympic-themed cocktails, go buy yourself a bottle and follow the recipe below for some authentic Brazilian fun!
After tasting the classic caipirinha that I prepared a few nights ago, I decided to put my own spin on the cocktail and create a coconut caipirinha. The coconut rum adds some sweetness to the drink and smoothes out the more complex flavor of the cachaca.
Why don’t you live closer to me?
Why indeed? I have been trying to figure that out since we moved to PA!
I might make this tonight !
Hope you found the cachaca- let me know how it turns out!
I love coconut & I love the Olympics, so obviously I have to make this. And yes, you need to move back to Cali so you can be my own personal bartender! 😉
Okay, will do, Charlene- I just need a few more, preferably obscenely rich, clients to bartend for, then I can afford to move back!