Cocktail Hour Sugar Cane Liquor
Just Chillin’
There’s no question that Cachaça, a delicious rum-like distilled sugarcane liquor, is Brazilian through and through. After all, it’s the foundation of Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha. Yet the beginnings of this spirit are partly Portuguese. Turns out that Portuguese colonizers brought sugar cane to Brazil, kicking off the mighty booze boom. It’s also rumored that Dom Pedro I toasted Brazil’s independence with a raised glass of Cachaça. Cachaça comes in two styles, white and aged. And like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Pick up a bottle and celebrate International Cachaça Day with the world (and this cocktail) on June 12.
Cantinho do Aziz’ Pura Sacanagem Sweet mango, tart lime juice and a spicy kick give this cocktail umph! • • • • • • • •
1 shot Cachaça 1 shot mango syrup 2 shots mango puree crushed or cubed ice half a lime one fresh piri-piri pepper, pierced* salt and piri-piri powder for rim lime slice to garnish
Rim the glasses: On a saucer or small plate create a mixture of (mostly) coarse salt and a small shake of coarse piri-piri powder. Glide a lime wedge around the lip of the glass to moisten and dip rim into salt/pepper blend. Set aside. To a blender add Cachaça, mango syrup, mango puree, and ice. Blend until smooth. Carefully pour into the rimmed glass, squeeze the half-lime into the cocktail, and partially submerge the pierced piri-piri into the mixture.
*Using a sharp point, pierce the piripiri pepper to allow the heat to infuse the cocktail. The more pierced, the hotter the drink. 4 | R ELISH PORTUGAL | APR /M AY /J UN 2020
Enjoy an authentic Portuguese atmosphere coupled with true Mozambican food at Cantinho do Aziz in Mouraria’s fabled Largo dos Trigueiros
