Cachaça, Brazil’s signature spirit, combines with sweet elderflower liqueur and tart citrus in this lively, pale pink cocktail.
Looking for your signature 2020 cocktail once dry January is [finally] over? Grab your cachaça and belly up to the bar.
This cachaça cocktail recipe was originally posted October 5, 2016. The recipe is the same but it has new photos and all new text because, friend, that was a COMPLETELY different world back then. We just ushered in a new year AND a new decade and The Brazilian Heiress is HEREFORIT. And you.
If ever a cocktail was ripe and ready to usher in the Roaring 2020s it’s this baby.
My original post talked about 1) my prediction that cachaça was about to hit the big time and 2) how I wasn’t drinking that much anymore. Well, four years of political turmoil have changed the latter. And, hindsight being 2020 (see what I did there?) I’m not convinced the former has really taken place yet.
What do you think?
Has cachaça taken the cocktail world by storm yet? Or is the real party just getting started?
We all know cachaça from caipirinhas. But IMHO it hasn’t exploded the way I think it deserves to. Brazil’s most common alcoholic beverage is subtle and versatile and is very very ready for its close up. Distilled from fermented sugar cane, cachaça can ONLY come from Brazil. Its flavor is sweet and complex and can vary greatly depending on what type of wood barrel it’s aged in.
A Cachaça Cocktail: The Brazilian Heiress
Cachaça is more widely known than it was four years ago, but I still maintain that there is room for growth. Maybe 2020 will be the year. As for the Brazilian Heiress, this drink is fragrant, light and beautifully pale pink. You might even call it optimistic. Perfect for the clean slate of a new decade. A decade during which we will roar into the future and without that pesky prohibition to deal with.
Hosting an Oscar’s party? This is perfect. The Brazilian Heiress is a great drink for a night when things are a little fancy but not quite up to champagne. It can also hold its own along side champagne. Beaded dresses and feather boas are optional, but encouraged.

A lively cachaça cocktail layered with elderflower liqueur and graperfruit juice.
- 3 ounces cachaça
- 1 1/2 ounces elderflower liqueur I used St. Germain
- 1 ounce no sugar added grapefruit juice
- 4 shakes orange bitters
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Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
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Add all ingredients
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Shake well for 30 seconds
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Strain into chilled cocktail glasses
I was looking for a cachaça based drink with elderflower, and came across yours. I didn’t have grapefruit juice, so I subbed in the juice from one lime, but I have to say this was delicious. Thank you for the base recipe, I’ll have to try it once I get some grapefruit juice! ❤️
That sounds amazing too. You try the grapefruit and I’ll try the lime. Cheers!
You take the most beautiful blog photos! I have never tried cachaca before, but I’m so tempted to try your recipe this weekend! It sounds like the perfect Friday night unwind cocktail! xo
It is!! Let me know if you try it. And cheers!
One 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).
Thank 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!
Christine- 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
Oh, girl you are in for a treat! Love them both together AND separately!
I have had my eyes on this drink since you posted it! Seriously sexy cocktail.
Thank you Bobbi xo
I 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! 😀
I just can’t believe what a crazy time this is. So much work to do, way beyond what happens in November. Sigh…
Here! 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 😉
Had to Google “extras you aren’t drinking” cuz I’ve never heard of such a thing 😉
I 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.
Thanks,Julie. I think you’ll love it. And, good news, we can get cachaça wherever we move to if the “other” candidate wins!
You’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. 🙂
I did a double take at “Feldman’s.” That’s my hubby’s last name! Hope you enjoy it, Tamara.