Brazil’s most popular spirit is also an industry favorite.
by By Jonah Flicker | September 20, 2021
While rum seems to be getting more popular every year, its Brazilian cousin cachaça has not quite reached the same levels of renown, particularly here in the US. There are some excellent bottles out there that are widely available, and many are a favorite among bartenders in the know who are working hard to familiarize the public with this indigenous Brazilian spirit distilled from sugarcane juice.
The most famous cachaça cocktail is the Caipirinha, which combines the vegetal, funky, earthy, and fruity notes of the spirit with lime and sugar. From unaged cachaça to expressions that spend a few years in various types of wood barrels, there are so many versions to taste. Here are some of the best cachaças you can find now, with some picks from bar industry experts.
Best Overall: Novo Fogo Tanager
Region: Brazil | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, Grass, Citrus
“Novo Fogo Tanager is exceptionalism in a bottle,” says Gregory Rodriguez of Jammyland Cocktail Bar & Reggae Kitchen in Las Vegas. “All the work done in one of the most sustainable distilleries in the world is showcased in this cachaça. It has engaging fruit flavors with a sidecar of ginger snap, and is rich and velvety. Neat or on the rocks, it’s the perfect accompaniment for a late-night cigar.”
This cachaça is notable for its reddish color which comes from time spent aging in Brazilian zebrawood barrels.
The 8 Best Cachaças to Drink in 2021
Liquor.com | September 20, 2021
