The Carioca Guide to Cachaça: What, How and Where to Drink It

Cachaça is a Brazilian distilled spirit and something you must try on your travels to Brazil. This national alcohol and the key ingredient in a caipirinha deserves a detailed look at the different types, how to drink it and where to taste cachaça in Rio de Janeiro. After all, Brazil produces around 1,5 billion litres of cachaça each year, with over 5,000 brands. But what is cachaça exactly? It's an alcohol made from sugar cane. It's distinct from rum in that rum is made from processed cane (molasses), whereas cachaça is made from unprocessed, fresh-pressed sugar cane juice, giving it a distinctive taste. It is then distilled and aged in a variety of ways, producing a range of different types of cachaça. The strong liquor contains between 38 and 54% alcohol. Discover more about this important Brazilian spirit with our complete guide to Cachaça. [caption id="attachment_8111" align="aligncenter" width="610"] There are many different types of Cachaça / Source[/caption]

Types of Cachaça

Cachaça is typically classified according to how it is aged. To consolidate the taste and personality of the drink, cachaça first rests in barrels for 2-4 months. After this, it is either bottled or aged in wooden barrels. This builds the colour, aroma and taste before it is bottled and distributed. Different types of woods produce distinct flavours. Cachaça in Brazil is divided into the following categories, based on the aging process:

• White,  New, Silver or Traditional: In Portuguese: Branca, Nova, Prata or Tradicional. This type is stored in neutral containers which does not add any colour. This is typically the cheapest.
• Aged: Envelhecida in Portuguese. 50% of the liquor must be aged in wood for at least one year.
• Premium: 100% aged in wood for at least one year. This is also called gold cachaça, as it is darker in colour.
• Extra Premium: 100% aged in wood for at least three years. Some premium brands are aged for as long as 15 years.

  [caption id="attachment_8112" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Brazil produces an average of 1.5 billion litres of cachaça per year / Source[/caption]

How to enjoy Cachaça

• On it's own: Drink it in its purest form, or chilled on the rocks.
• Mixed: Add sugar and lime to make a caipirinha, or other fruit for a variety of cocktails. Some people also mix it with energy drinks.
• Accompanied: In more traditional cachaçarias, a shot of cachaça is served with a chicken broth or meat on the side.

Where to drink cachaça in Rio de Janeiro

Academia da Cachaça

One of the city's best places to honour cachaça in Rio de Janeiro is Academia da Cachaça. There is no question of nationality here: elements of Brazil are everywhere, from the big flag on the ceiling to the menu packed with traditional Brazilian appetizers and dishes. There are two locations. One is in Barra da Tijuca and the other in Leblon. With its huge variety of types and flavours, the house drink, Academia da Cachaça, is the star of the house, made with lime and honey. Address: 26 Rua Conde Bernadotte (Leblon), 800 Avenida Armando Lombardi (Tijuca) [caption id="attachment_8115" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Enjoy a cachaça tasting at Academia da Cachaça / Source[/caption]

Café do Bom Cachaça da Boa

The perfect place to escape the chaos of the city centre is Café do Bom Cachaça da Boa. Once an antique bookstore, this bistro dates back to the beginning of the previous century and sells beautiful antiques and books on the second floor. With widely praised service, this charming café has about 90 labels of cachaça from several parts of the country. The toasted pão de quiejo (cheese bread) is the highlight of the snacks menu. Address: 10 Rua da Carioca (Downtown)

Joaquina Bar e Restaurante

What makes Joaquina Bar a unique experience is that many of the snacks are made with sugar cane, making the perfect pairing with the cachaça. The gastronomic highlight is undoubtedly the bolinho de apim con carne seca - a cassava fritter with dried meat. The attentive service is another draw card of Joaquina. Address: 974 Avenida Atlantica (Leme) [caption id="attachment_8118" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Joaquina is a great spot to enjoy cachaça in Rio de Janeiro / Source[/caption]

Casa da Cachaça

For those who love a simple, cozy, tavern-style bar, there is Casa da Cachaça. Arrive early to get a table, or make like the Cariocas who don't mind standing with their drink and making new friends. Against the bohemian backdrop of Lapa, Casa da Cachaça has a large continent of loyal customers who come for the 2,000 plus types of cachaça on the menu. Address: 110 Avenida Mem de Sá (Lapa) Of course, you don't need to make a special trip to try cachaça in Rio de Janeiro. Simply take a seat at a kiosk along Copacabana or Ipanema beach and order yourself a caipirinha. Don't be fooled by the sugar and lime though - cachaça is potent! We advise you to go slow on these!

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By: Luiza Cavalcante / Adapted by Nicole Eberhard