Don’t get shocked by cachaca
The lore of rum resonates throughout the Caribbean and the seafaring world. Tales of Rum runners, drunken sailors, bootleggers, and more abound. But, what if I told you there is a drink far superior to traditional rum, and that it comes from Brazil. Well, my friends, today is Dia Nacional da Cachaça in Brazil (although, international Cachaca day is June 12). But, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate here. If you aren’t familiar with it, Cachaca is a wildly popular spirit in Brazil. Each year, people drink about 400 million gallons, mostly in Brazil. Only 1% is exported. And, most of that goes to Germany. So, what is Cachaca? It’s a distilled beverage derived from sugar cane. How is that different from rum?. Rum comes from molasses, a by product of sugar production. Cachaca uses the sugar cane itself for a sweeter, smoother product. So, Don’t get shocked by cachaca.
Since it is similar to rum, sometimes they label it Cahaca rum. But, by law, It can only come from Brazil. There is a version of rum made from sugar cane instead of molasses in the Caribbean: rhum agricoles. But, like Bourbon must be from America, Champagne from Champagne, and Scotch from Scotland, the name Cachaca only applies to the Brazilian specialty. Similar to rum and tequila, there are silver and gold versions depending on age and whether they spend time in wooden casks to impart more flavors. Silver or white ages less than a year. But, some do go longer. Yellow, gold, or dark versions age up to 3 years, with some as much as 15. So, it is very similar to rum. But, ask any Brazilian. They’ll tell you, there’s no comparison.
Don’t get shocked by cachaca and how good it is
Remember, most cahchaca stays in Brazil. But, it’s popular in Germany too? While we don’t know why that is, there are stories and theories. The most likely harks back to the removal of the Berlin wall. In the wake of that historic event, East Berlin transformed from a communist slum into a posh hipster destination. Along the way, some Brazilians migrated there. Rumor has it, that a few of them opened a pub in a tenement building. They introduced Cachaca to the neighborhood in a cocktail: Caipirinha. It’s a simple drink: Cachaca, mixed with Lime wedges muddled with sugar, over ice. People lined up to drink these $12 cocktails. And, other bar owners took notice of its popularity. Soon, it became a staple in bars with people using shorthand to order Caipis.
It sounds fantastical that a simple introduction like that would cause such a groundswell in demand. But, the proof is in the numbers. Germany is the top importer of Cachaca outside Brazil. Of course, we could make up conspiracy theories that it’s because of “The Boys From Brazil“. But, things are rarely that complicated. Maybe it’s because Cahaca is simply a better booze than rum. And, look at Germans. They brought us Schnapps and Jagermeister. Don’t you think they’d want to drink something nicer? Plus, the drink has a tropical feel. Isn’t that a nice departure from a landlocked industrial metropolis? Shocking? I think not.
Where can I get this stuff?
Despite the small quantity exported, It is available in America and other places. And, it’s available for a similar price to rum. So don’t be shocked by cachaca. It’s an easy way to up your cocktail game. Chain stores like Total wine carry multiple varieties. There are several internet only sites too. And, if you have a half decent liquor store near you, you should be able to find it. If not, ask a Brazilian. And, if you can’t get it because you live in a remote area, pretend with some rum. It won’t be the same. But, if you’re mixing it with juices, etc, you can pretend. Adding in some fresh sugar will help out. Unfortunately, most rums have a molasses base. But, if you can find a Rhum Agricole, that is a little closer.
So, Sit back, and picture yourself on a Brazilian beach, and enjoy a cachaca based cocktail. Whether it’s the famous Caipirinha or other. Enjoy the depth of this special sweet liquor. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
- Caipirinha: 2 oz Cachaca, 1 whole Fresh Lime cut in wedges muddled with 2 teaspoons cane sugar, fill with ice, and garnish with a lime. A sugared rim on the glass is nice too. You can also add berries or other fruits if you like.
- Batida Rosa: Equal parts of Cachaca, Pineapple juice, Lemon juice, Soda water, and a splash of grenadine for color.
- Brazil 66: Cachaca, Triple Sec, orange juice, Sugar Syrup, and Lime juice
- Cane Flower: Equal parts Cachaca, Aperol, and Elderflower Liqueur