Other than being home to the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil-at-large, is famous for many things, but its ability to party tops the list. And what’s a party without a good cocktail? In order to indulge in this year’s Olympic games in true Brazilian fashion, imbibing the national cocktail of Brazil, the caipirinha, is a basic requisite.
The origin of this beverage is a little unusual as far as cocktails go. According to legend, an early (and more medicinal) version of this particular mix actually began in Sao Paulo rather than Rio in the early 1900s to treat patients infected with Spanish Influenza. I’m no doctor, but I can’t imagine liquor drinks are the way to go in order to get over a deadly infectious disease.
The spirit used to make the caipirinha is actually not rum, a common mistake in the US, but one called cachaca. Similar to rum, it is derived from sugarcane. If you didn’t realize that cachaca and rum were separate entities, you aren’t alone— the US only acknowledged this liquor as being an expressly different product of Brazil in 2012 as part of a trade agreement in which Brazil also accredited Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey as discreet commodities of the United States. The operative difference between the cachaca and rum is that rum is generally made from molasses, the consequence of boiling and processing sugar cane juice. Cachaca, on the other hand, is directly made from pure sugar cane juice. The result is a very distinct flavor that is unique to cachaca and totally separates this drink from all of the other lime + liquor beverages that you could order.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Brazil to witness the Olympic games in person, your visit would be amiss without trying a caipirinha from at least one (if not all) of the below locations in order to get in true Brazilian spirits. Other than the classic lime, liquor, and sugar concoction, Brazilian bars offer a wide range of options and deviations from the classic cocktail. Diversity is the name of Rio’s bar game, and you can truly find whatever you are looking for, from dive bar to party spot to something a little more gourmet. Whether you are looking for a great view, a place to start your party, or somewhere to see and be seen, you can find somewhere memorable to enjoy Brazil’s national cocktail. Saúde!
Aprazível
Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
R. Aprazível, 62 – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
If sipping cocktails while enjoying a buenavista is your thing, do not miss this spot. Its name means “pleasant” in Portuguese, and your experience here will certainly live up to the name. Perched on a cliff, the views of the city are breathtaking. Try the “caipibella”—it’s their gorgeous variation on the caipirinha and it’s made with star fruit, passion fruit, rosemary, and ginger sugar. This establishment also gets bonus points for its commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.
Barzin
Rio de Janeiro
R. Vinícius de Moraes, 75 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Located in the cool and vibrant Ipanema district, this is a great location to begin your night out. While the downstairs section of this joint is your more standard restaurant/ bar combo, if your caipirinha sampling has you lit, simply head upstairs to enjoy the nightclub scene. Don’t miss the live-band karaoke experience if you’re feeling bold.
