The 2016 Olympics will be in Brazil.  That gives you plenty of time to get hip with the Brazilian culture before you are on your way.  One of the key aspects of your cultural study will involve cachaca and the caipirinha.  No, these aren’t killer Brazilian fish.  Cachaca is a liquor, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you will.  Some call it Brazilian rum, however most rums are made from molasses where cachaca is made from distilled sugar cane juice. The caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil. The traditional caipirinha is made with lime muddled with sugar and cachaca.  The caipirinha is a very refreshing unique drink similar to that of a mojito, but with a little added dimension.  No wonder Brazilians are so happy and laid back!  There is a currently a big push to promote cachaca in the US.  At the helm, of the movement is Leblon Cachaca.  They would like to be the Patron of cachaca and hope to make cachaca as popular as tequila has become around the world.  They are taking cachaca to the next level by aging their cachaca for three months in XO cognac casks.  This makes for a lighter and smoother cachaca perfect for making caipirinhas.  The caipirinha is currently one of my favorite cocktails.  It has the freshness of a tropical drink, while having the sophistication of a classic cocktail.  While the traditional caipirinha is made with just lime, many different fruits will pair well with cachaca.  My unique caipirinha that I make I call the Lone Star Caipirinha. It features, lime, tangerine, mint, star fruit, sugar, and of course cachaca.  You won’t remember the Alamo, but you will be whisked away to a Brazilian beach, hoping that someone brings you another one.  Here is how to make it:

1. Use a rocks glass or similar sized glass and coat the bottom of the glass with super-fine sugar. You can often find this sugar at the grocery for use with iced tea.   
2. Cut one lime into quarters and add to the glass.
3. Cut up an equal amount of tangerine and add to the glass.
4.  Sprinkle a bit more sugar over the fruit.  (Brazilians like it sweet!)
5. Using scissors cut some fresh mint into the glass.  (Mint is not added in a traditional caipirinha)
6. Take your muddler and muddle, muddle, muddle.  This releases the juice from the limes and tangerine, and brings out the flavor of the mint.  (If you don’t have a muddler find a very sturdy spoon, or Leblon will send you one if you pay for the shipping)
7. Add ice to your glass
8. Fill up your glass with cachaca (I used Leblon)
9. I add all of the ingredients to a shaker and shake
10. Pour back into the glass, leave out the fruit pieces if there are too many, and garnish with a lone sliced star fruit. Don’t forget a stick of sugar cane for added appeal!

Smile and enjoy your Lone Star Caipirinha!