Going Brazilian

Everything is going Brazilian. There’s Brazilian bikinis. Brazilian waxes. (Necessary when wearing a Brazilian bikini.) And one of the hottest trends in spirits right now, Cachaça, pure sugarcane rum from Brazil.

Exceptional smoothness is one of its signatures, and it’s the perfect exotic twist to use in drinks that usually call for traditional rum, or as a substitute for vodka or tequila. (For those of you who have had one of those tequila experiences.)

Out of a small plantation in Sao Paulo comes a full-bodied and fragrant cachaça called Boca Loca, or “Crazy Lips” in Portuguese. (I’ll try anything out of Brazil that’s full-bodied and named crazy lips.)

Boca Loca is made from hand-harvested and pressed sugar cane, and has a hint of melon and honey before its distinctive, sweet, pure sugar cane finish. It’s a great main ingredient to build drink recipes around. And I’ve posted some below.

Restaurants and clubs around the country are serving drinks featuring Boca Loca, and you can also find it at better liquor stores. For info on where to buy, and for more recipes, visit www.drinkbocaloca.com.

Classic Caipirinha
(Brazil’s national cocktail and pronounced kie-purr-REEN-yah)
• 1 1/2 oz Boca Loca
• 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons fine sugar

Clean and cut a lime into eight wedges. Place the lime and sugar into a glass and mash the ingredients together to create a paste. Fill the glass with ice, then add the Boca Loca. It’s important to keep stirring to keep the sugar mixed well.

Brazilian Kiss
• 1 1/2 oz Boca Loca
• 3/4 oz Amaretto
• Splash Red Ruby orange juice on top (fresh squeezed, if available)

Fill high ball glass with ice. Add ingredients and stir. Garnish with orange wedge & cherry.

Boca Rita
• 1 1/2 oz Boca Loca
• 3/4 oz Triple Sec
• Splash sour mix
Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into chilled margarita or martini glass. Garnish with a lime.