Cachaça, Brazil’s signature spirit, combines with elderflower liqueur and citrus in this lively, pale pink cocktail.
Looking for a unique cachaça cocktail? I got your back.
We’ve all been there. We buy a bottle of cachaça to mix up a batch of caipirinhas and have no idea what to do with the leftovers. Which is usually only a few odd ounces because, face it, caipirinhas go down pretty smooth.
My husband and I fell hard for caipirinhas this summer and I immediately started wondering what else I could do with cachaça. After I learned how to pronounce it correctly, of course. But, mark my words, cachaças days of flying under the radar are numbered. It’s about to take the cocktail world by storm.
[Tweet “The Brazilian Heiress is a new cachaça #cocktail that’ll make you feel like a million bucks!”]
And I really really wanted to be ahead of the curve for once. But recipe testing a cocktail takes me a stupid long time because…
- My taste buds start to flag after one drink.
- There are so many possible combinations!
- I’m drinking less.
That last one is new.
I hope it’s possible to talk about America’s impending election without perpetuating rage and hatred because I need to bring it up for a second. I have to imagine, no matter which candidate you support, the fact that it’s so close has got to be kicking up anxiety for both sides, right?
Right?!?
A Cachaça Cocktail: The Brazilian Heiress
Well it definitely was (is) for me. And I started noticing a familiar gravitational pull toward all my unhealthy vices that rear their ugly heads when I’m anxious. All those things that seem like they’ll make me feel better but end up making me feel worse.
Then I had a sudden and unfamiliar response. I thought, “What if I don’t?”
What if I just don’t go there?
You reap what you sow, right?
So how about, instead of fretting and eating and drinking to excess, I try loving myself (and everyone around me) through the rest of this election cycle? Defying the negativity and bile that hangs so thick in the air you can taste it.
I started simply concentrating on my work, making and sharing healthy recipes and pretty pictures. I started exercising, doing affirmations and practicing moderation. Just trying to put as much joy out there as I could.
And it’s helping.
And now, looking at this cachaça cocktail, I see my new mindset has influenced my work, as well. This drink is fragrant, light and beautifully pale pink. You might even call it optimistic.
Your first sip of a Brazilian Heiress introduces you to the sweetness of cachaça and the tender kiss of elderflower. That gets followed up immediately by the tart, tang of citrus.
It’s a great drink for a night when things are a little fancy but not quite up to champagne. Those nights when we’re reaping the benefits of our cosmic inheritance and sharing the wealth with the people we love most in the world. Which, if we focus in the right places and play our existential cards right, could be quite often.
- 3 ounces cachaça
- 1 1/2 ounces elderflower liqueur I used St. Germain
- 1 ounce no sugar added grapefruit juice
- 4 shakes orange bitters
-
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
-
Add all ingredients
-
Shake well for 30 seconds
-
Strain into chilled cocktail glasses
Mark Andersen says
October 26, 2016 at 7:06 pmOne thing I like about this cocktail (after having made it a few times) is the balance of flavors. It’s got the bitter, floral and citrus flavor notes that you get with a really top-notch well-balanced IPA (for example).
Christine says
October 27, 2016 at 2:10 pmThank you Mark! I played with the balance quite a bit (and had fun doing so!) so that really means a lot to me. Cin cin!
Michelle says
October 9, 2016 at 9:38 amChristine- I am now feeling optimistic ?!
Thank you for the beautiful drink!
I have never had the privilege of trying either of these liquors and I was in food service for 20+ years!
Looks like it’s time to try something new!
Have a great day!
Michelle
Christine says
October 11, 2016 at 8:35 amOh, girl you are in for a treat! Love them both together AND separately!
Bam's Kitchen says
October 9, 2016 at 12:50 amI have had my eyes on this drink since you posted it! Seriously sexy cocktail.
Christine says
October 9, 2016 at 7:28 amThank you Bobbi xo
chefjulianna says
October 8, 2016 at 11:43 amI am loving your attitude towards elections and this amazing beverage as part of your coping strategy!! I too am a huge fan of caipirinhas, so I can’t wait to give your cocktail a try! If it makes you feel any better, we, your neighbours to the north, are every bit as anxious about this election as you are! Here’s hoping! 😀
Christine says
October 9, 2016 at 7:28 amI just can’t believe what a crazy time this is. So much work to do, way beyond what happens in November. Sigh…
vintagekittycom says
October 8, 2016 at 11:40 amHere! Here! Ready to move on from this election because its making me lose faith in humanity! Drink looks fabulous darling! I’ll have the extras you aren’t drinking 😉
Christine says
October 9, 2016 at 7:23 amHad to Google “extras you aren’t drinking” cuz I’ve never heard of such a thing 😉
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
October 6, 2016 at 10:09 pmI am loving your philosophy! This election has me ready to move out of the country. This drink sounds amazing. I’ve never used bitters but know that they are all the rage. Time to head to get me some new booze! Shares scheduled.
Christine says
October 7, 2016 at 7:26 amThanks,Julie. I think you’ll love it. And, good news, we can get cachaça wherever we move to if the “other” candidate wins!
Tamara says
October 6, 2016 at 3:45 pmYou’ve outdone yourself with this cocktail and post Christine! I was laughing, nodding my head in agreement, and wanting to run to Feldman’s to see if they carry cachaca… What a perfectly lovely cocktail! I’m definitely sipping this one soon. 🙂
Christine says
October 7, 2016 at 7:27 amI did a double take at “Feldman’s.” That’s my hubby’s last name! Hope you enjoy it, Tamara.