There are many things Brazil is famous for. It is the largest country in Latin America, so people come here for the incredible beaches spreading for more than four thousand miles. Some people enjoy coming here for incredible natural sights while doing some ecotourism at world-famous destinations.
But another thing people come here to experience is the Brazilian culture of going on a night out, and there is no way to do that properly without Brazilian cocktail drinks.
Cocktail culture in Brazil is buzzing with creativity, as bartenders experiment with unexpected ingredients. Think caipirinhas spiked with spicy peppers or gin cocktails featuring native botanicals like priprioca. Pop-up bars in urban hotspots draw crowds with these inventive mixes, often served in eco-friendly glassware. Itโs a vibrant showcase of Brazilโs flair for flavor and flair.
Also, if you would like to learn more about life in Brazil, later you can read more in depth about Brazilian culture & lifestyle here. Now, letโs get back into it.
Drinking socially is a lot different in Brazil than in Northern Hemisphere places like the United States. Especially because there has been so much mixing in our culture! Historically speaking, Brazil was where people came to start over from all over the world.
So don’t come here hoping to find dedicated liquor stores, you can find every ingredient for a good cocktail in grocery stores. Red wine, Brazilian rum, and even sugar cubes. But people don’t go on vacation expecting to cook, right?
So if you are just like me, don’t know your way around lime wedges and fruit juices, or would rather just appreciate a good passion fruit flavored drink, come along as we explore the top Brazilian cocktail drinks you have to try while you explore different parts of Brazil. So let’s start our boozy tour of the South America giant!
Brazilian Liquor and Spirits
We know that some spirits are pretty similar no matter where you go, like beer and draft beer. So even if Brazil has some noteworthy national names, I am particularly fond of a carioca brand called ‘Hocus Pocus’, our true national treasure is a distilled drink called Cachaรงa.
Sometime in the mid-sixteenth century, this drink made with sugar cane byproducts was incredibly popular already. It was even prohibited several times throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries until the Portuguese crown saw it as an opportunity to make money with fiscal incentives and taxes.
After that, it became history. Nowadays there are about forty thousand national producers of Cachaรงa, which is made in several flavors.
The most popular ones are affectionately called bananinha, a subtle banana flavor, and canelinha, which tastes a lot like cinnamon and spices. In some cities, you can also find flavors like lime, honey, and even ginger.
Because Cachaรงa is made by distilling sugar cane molasses, it has a very potent kick, high alcohol percentage, and a striking flavor. It is used in the most traditional recipe of Brazil’s national cocktail, the classic Caipirinha.
Most Popular Brazilian Cocktail Drinks to Try
Caipirinha
Starting with Brazil’s national cocktail, at least unofficially, we have a Caipirinha. This drink starts with lime wedges macerated with as many tablespoons of sugar as you want, you can even have it made with brown sugar if you want. Once the fresh lime juice is squeezed out, you have some of the national drink of Brazil, Cachaรงa.
Everything is shaken very well and then poured over ice cubes. A small tip from personal experience, if the Cachaรงa used is from a brand called 51, ask for a little extra sugar syrup otherwise it will be too strong.
I highly recommend adding other flavors to your list of Brazilian cocktail drinks to try if they are available, my favorite caipirinha so far has been a passion fruit one I had in Rio de Janeiro!
Sakerinha or Caipiroska
These two drinks are one item mostly because they are a different take on the national cocktail of Brazil. The Sakerinha has this name because it is made with Sake, the Japanese distilled spirit made from fermented rice.
Caipiroska is our nickname for caipirinhas made with Vodka instead of Cachaรงa since Vodka’s alcoholic taste can be a little more subtle. Other than that, it is still Brazil’s national drink. Lemon juice or lime wedges, maybe passion fruit or strawberries, alcohol and sugar shaken then poured over ice cubes.
Capeta and Other Batidas
This drink was created in 1984 by a Bahia native called Antonio Carlos. He wanted a drink that kept people awake in Porto Seguro because over there it is Carnaval around the clock. It is a blended drink made with a bottle of vodka, a box of condensed milk, guaranรก powder, and cinnamon powder.
Everything is dumped in a blender and blended till smooth then served over ice. It’ll definitely get you buzzed while staying more alert, hence it’s spot on our list of Brazil cocktail drinks.
As for other batidas, another popular category of traditional Brazilian drink, well the sky is the limit! The only defining trait is that they are properly blended. Most batidas start with either red wine, Brazilian rum, or white rum and sweetener, almost always condensed milk.
Then people add other things for flavor like passion fruit, fruit juices, tropical fruits, and even orange peel sometimes. The latter is more of a garnish, though.
Drinks like these are dangerous because they’re tasty, and the alcohol is barely a memory so don’t forget to pace yourself to avoid being totally wasted.
Quentรฃo
This one has a spot on our list of Brazilian cocktail drinks to try is a little tricky because it is a little seasonal. Quentรฃo, the Brazilian version of mulled wine, is your perfect balance of red wine flavor, spices, and warmth for the winter.
Yes, this is one of our most typical cocktails but is generally around only during the months of June and July for Festas Juninas. So in case you would like to try it and escape from your scorching summer, this is your chance to try Quentรฃo.
Caju Amigo
Our last item on the list of Brazilian cocktail drinks to try is a little easier to find than Quentรฃo. The name translates to friendly cashew and what sometimes makes it the best cocktail is how simple it is.
You need at least cashew juice and vodka. The rest can be added as whoever makes the drink sees fit. It’ll still be one of the best drinks you will have in this South American country.
Brazilian spirit is something truly remarkable, definitely enhanced by a few of our most popular drinks. You may think that the lemon juice in some of these will overpower the flavor of our traditional dishes but not even the most unusual caipirinha recipe will do that.
We think of each drink as something complementary to our food, so in case you have no idea what to order, ask your server what they recommend to harmonize with your food!
While you are having fun, don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Drink as much water as alcohol, always take care of your drink, and if you are going on a night out, have a decent meal beforehand, Plus, it is very illegal to drive under the influence so either get an Uber or have a designated driver in your group.
Oh, one more personal tip: try not to mix too many different types of alcohol! That can upset your stomach, which in turn will definitely ruin your night.
Whether you stick to a caipirinha cocktail or venture out to other options, I’ll be toasting to your adventure!
