The Spirit World

Does your almanac include International Cachaça Day. Honestly, mine doesn’t either, but if you embrace the current enthusiasm or Cachaça, and have been wondering how to use it when you’re not in the mood for a caipirinha, an update might be in order.

Sure, International Cachaça Day is a promotional vehicle for Brazil’s national beverage, but there’s a colonial back story! It was started by Sociedade Brasileira da Cachaça, a Brasilian government organization. It was created to commemorate June 12th, 1744: the day when Portugal, then the colonial authority in Brazil, outlawed the production and sale of cachaça. and I’ll bet that was thirsty work.

The caipirinha is the cocktail most often associated with Cachaça, particularly outside its native land. But here are a couple of cocktails you might want to sip on June 12 as you celebrate International Cachaça Day. These recipes were offered up by the folks ac Cabana Cachaça.

The Marpessa

• 1 oz Cachaça
• 3/4 oz Orchard Pear Liqueur
• 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz aloe vera

Combine with ice in a cocktail shaker, Shake and strain into a chilled, tall cocktail glass, garnished with a thinly sliced lime wheel.

Feeling tropical?

Beach Comber

• 1 oz Cabana Cachaça
• 1 oz Veev Acai liqueur
• 1 oz kiwi puree
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup

Shake with ice and pour into a cocktail glass.