A Caipirinha for Carnaval!

Carnaval is coming! The popular Brazilian holiday begins tomorrow and lasts until Lent. In Brazil, people celebrate with costumes, parades, samba music, and (you guessed it) Cachaça! Leblon, Brazil’s finest Cachaça, is helping to spread the Carnaval love with events nationwide, an awesome Carnaval kit for you home party, and of course, fabulous cocktails!

If you’ve been to the Leblon site, you’ve seen the vast array of cocktail recipes—everything from complex bar-chef masterpieces, to martinis and twists on the classics. But I think for Carnaval, it’s best to stick to the basics. What better way is there to celebrate Carnaval than with Brazil’s #1 cocktail—the Caipirinha?

The traditional Caipirinha is the current fave in my household. My fiancé and I can’t get enough of them and, though there is some muddling involved, it’s a super easy cocktail to fix. Once you’ve got your bottle of Leblon stocked, all you need to do is pick up a couple limes from the grocery store and you’ve got cocktails for the night.

Traditional Caipirinha

2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
½ lime
2 tsp superfine sugar (or 1 oz. simple syrup)

Cut the lime into four wedges. Muddle the lime and sugar (or simple syrup) in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add Leblon Cachaça. Shake vigorously. Serve in a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Super easy! Once you’ve got that down, you can make several variations on the Caipirinha by muddling fresh fruit. The Blackberry Caipirinha is absolutely delicious!

Blackberry Caipirinha

2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
6 Blackberries (or any berry will do)
¼ lime, sliced
1 tbsp sugar

Place blackberries with sliced lime in a shaker and muddle well. Fill with ice and add Leblon Cachaça and sugar. Shake vigorously and pour into a rocks glass. Garnish with a blackberry. Yummmmmmmmmm!

Ok so you’ve got the cocktails for your Carnaval party—now all you need is the Leblon Carnaval kit to top it off. This party-in-a-box includes green Carnaval masks, Bon fims, Carnaval beads, Caipirinha glowsticks, napkins, stirrers, a muddler and samba music. What more do you need? Still looking for more direction? The video below will walk you through how to make the perfect Caipirinha. Saude!

1 Day to Go…Valentine’s Day Cocktail Ideas

There’s only one day left to make your plans for Valentine’s Day, but I’m here to help you out. No matter your situation, a cocktail will probably be in order and I’ve got just the thing.
I’ve never been big on celebrating Valentine’s Day with cards, chocolates (though I won’t turn them down, of course) or teddy bears. It’s all just a little too…contrived. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Valentine’s Day-“this-is-just-a-marketing-ploy-fronted-by-Hallmark”-Hater. I think any day that asks you to stop what you’re doing and appreciate the ones you love is a good one.

But rather than buying your sweetie some overpriced heart-shaped pillow that says “Be Mine,” why not show your love with some quality time at home. Nothing says “I love you” like a home cooked meal and a well-crafted cocktail. Or, if you’ve already got reservations for dinner out, set aside time for cocktails at the home bar afterward. Try a few of these tasty tipples and toast to the ones you love on Valentine’s Day!

Ok, this one might take a little extra work but it’ll be worth it in the end, and it’ll show your Valentine just how much you really love them. Oh, and bonus points if you serve it up with a long-stemmed rose on the side (buy two—one for your rose syrup!).

Rose Royce:

1 oz. OVAL Vodka
1/3 oz. Rose Syrup
1/3 oz. Simple Syrup
2/3 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
½ glass Perrier Jouet champagne

Shake all ingredients well over ice and pour into a champagne flute half-filled with Perrier Jouet. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.

Rose Syrup: C’mon…it’s not that hard

20 (or so) rose petals
Water
Sugar

You can make Rose Syrup the same way you make simple syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water), but first, flavor the water by adding rose petals and simmering for about an hour.

If your sweetie has a sweet tooth, try this Deep Chocolate Cocktail. It’s a wonderful dessert drink to sip by the fireplace this Valentine’s Day.

Deep Chocolate:

1 ½ oz. Leblon Cachaça
½ oz. Jago Cream Liqueur
½ oz. Navan Vanilla Liqueur
4 oz. Chocolate
Whipped cream

Mix all ingredients in a tall handled glass. Pour and thoroughly stir in the hot chocolate mixture. Top with whipped cream and white chocolate shavings.

Keeping with the chocolate theme, the Chocolate Temptress is the perfect cocktail if you’re Valentine is looking to try something new.

Chocolate Temptress:

2 ½ oz. Chocolate flavored vodka
½ oz. Absinthe Mata Hari
½ oz. Simple Syrup
Crushed chocolate cookie for rim
Star anise float for garnish

Rim a cocktail glass with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs. Combine vodka, Absinthe Mata Hari, and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker. Shake thoroughly and strain into the prepared cocktail glass. Float the star anise on top.

If you can’t afford the rock, you can at least fix up a properly-titled cocktail—the Ruby Diamond.
Ruby Diamond: (photo above)

2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
2 oz. Lychee puree
½ oz. lime juice
Dash simple syrup
1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
6 mint leaves

Muddle mint and pomegranate in a shaker. Shake with remaining ingredients. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

And if your boy/girlfriend wasn’t kind enough to wait until after Valentine’s Day to call it off, make yourself a Broken Heart Martini. You can enjoy it curled up at home with a good book, or out with your friends, because there’s no rule that says you have to have a Valentine!

Broken Heart Martini:

2 ½ oz. OVAL Vodka
½ oz. Hiram Walker Crème de Cacao
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 slice orange
1 tsp sugar

Rim a cocktail glass with cocoa powder. Stir together the OVAL vodka, sugar, and Hiram Walker Crème de Cacao with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with an orange slice.

*Photo of the Chocolate Temptress photo is from the fabulous Cheri of The Intoxicologist. Go check her out!

Game Time

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and, as always, I am looking for cocktail & appetizer ideas for a party. While I could care less who wins this year (if the Pats aren’t in it, I’m not interested), I still love to gather ‘round the tube with friends and enjoy a few tasty tipples and yummy treats.

Most people opt for beer when watching sporting events, but for a party you want to make sure there’s something for everyone—even the picky non-beer drinkers (ahem…like me). Here are a few cocktails that should please just about everyone watching the game and go great with nachos, pigs in a blanket, and chili (but then again, what doesn’t?). Enjoy!

Bloody Carioca (pictured):

2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
5 oz. tomato juice
½ oz. lemon juice
Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Pinch each of: celery salt, cracked pepper, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and onion powder.

Shake all the ingredients on ice and pour into a highball rimmed with paprika. Stir well and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Bonecrusher:

1/2 oz. OVAL Vodka
1/2 oz. Rum
1 lemon
1/2 oz. Gin
1 shot Champagne
1 splash Sprite
1 splash grenadine syrup

Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Serve on the rocks in a Collins glass.

Red Dragon by Katelin Reeves:

¾ oz Absinthe Mata Hari
¾ oz. black cherry vodka
¼ oz. grenadine
splash Sprite

Fill a shaker with ice and add the first three ingredients. Shake well; strain into shot glass. Top with Sprite.

Down to Business with Leblon

Check out this cool interview with Steve Luttman, the man behind Leblon Cachaça. In it, Steve talks about what inspired him to become an entrepreneur in the spirits industry, and what makes Cachaça (and more specifically Leblon) the next big thing. It's interesting insight into the business behind the brand, and the passion for Brazilian culture and craft cocktails that fuels Leblon. Enjoy!

Resolution Cocktail Ideas

Today is January 9th, which means there are probably still some (or lots) of you out there who’ve not yet broken your New Year’s resolution to watch what you eat and drink. I’m all for trying to live a more healthy lifestyle, but do you really want to spend the next few cold winter months cooped up in the house eating Nutrisystem and drinking overpriced mineral water? I didn’t think so.

Did you know some of your classic go-to cocktails are already low in calories, or can be made so with just a few little substitutions? Cut down on your portion size, use artificial sweeteners in the place of sugar, make simple cocktails with just a few ingredients, and make small changes where you can. Here are a few easy recipes to help you stick to your resolution without going through a total dry spell:

Skinny Caipi Cola: (96 cal)* Change up your Rum & Cola or Cuba Libre with this substitution and you’ve got a more flavorful, low-cal cocktail

1 ½ oz. Leblon Cachaça
6 oz. Diet Cola

Stir ingredients to combine in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

OVAL Strawberry Sweetie: (80 cal)

1 oz. OVAL Vodka
4 strawberries, sliced
8 oz. Light Lemonade
1 packet Splenda

Muddle sliced strawberries, OVAL Vodka & Splenda in the bottom of a Collins glass. Fill glass with ice and add Light Lemonade. Tumble & serve with a lemon slice garnish.

Skinny Caipirinha:

2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
1 packet of Splenda
½ lime, cut into four wedges

In a shaker, muddle the lime pieces with Splenda. Add ice. Pour the Leblon Cachaça over the ice. Shake vigorously and serve in a skinny highball glass. Garnish with a lime slice.

Drink in the New Year

Tonight is New Year’s Eve and, for me, that’s kind of a big deal. You see, this is the first year since I’ve been of legal drinking age that I’m not employed as a bartender and thus, have the evening (and tomorrow, for that matter) to enjoy a tipple or two of my own! It’s snowing here now and I’m on my way out of the office, but I’ll be stopping into the grocery store to pick up some raspberries for this tasty delight. I suggest you give it a try yourself and toast to a happy, healthy New Year! Cheers!

Raspberry Bellini

2 oz. Leblon Cachaça
6 raspberries
A dash of lime juice
2 tsp. superfine sugar
Top with Perrier Jouet champagne

Muddle raspberries, superfine sugar, and fresh lime juice in a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add Leblon Cachaça. Shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne flute and top with Perrier Jouet. Enjoy!

Christmas Cocktail

Looking for a tasty tipple to serve to your Christmas guests? Try this classy cocktail from Leblon Cachaça -The Cafe Mocha. Yum!

Cafe Mocha:

2 oz Leblon Cachaça

1/2 oz Kahlua

2 oz Half & Half

1 oz Chocolate Syrup

Shot of Espresso

3 coffee beans

Shake all the ingredients sharply with crushed ice. Then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a sugared rim and three coffee beans.

Artisanal vs. Industrial Cachaça

Curious about Cachaça? Check out this video from Leblon, which features interviews with some of the leading authorities on Brazil’s native spirit. Here, they talk about the important differences between Industrial and Artisanal Cachaça.

A Taste of Brazil for Thanksgiving

One day to go and I bet you’ve got the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pies ready to bake. But what about cocktails? Why not try and be a little inventive this year with a signature cocktail or punch? Here are a couple of recipes using Leblon Cachaça (Brazilian Rum). They taste great and your guests will think you went out of your way to please them. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Pumpkin Caipirinha

1 ½ oz. Leblon Cachaça

½ Lime

½ oz. agave nectar (or substitute honey)

1 ½ oz. Pumpkin Puree

½ oz. Canton Ginger Liqueur

Cut lime and place in a shaker with agave nectar and muddle. Add crushed ice, Leblon Cachaça, pumpkin puree and Canton in the shaker. Shake well and garnish with nutmeg, pumpkin flesh twist and lime wheel.

Leblon Punch

1 Bottle of Leblon Cachaça
½ Bottle brandy
¼ Bottle Cointreau
¼ Bottle Amaretto
3 Bottles Medium body red wine
1 lg. Bottle of soda water
½ Cup of fine white sugar
3 Oranges-sliced
20 Cherries – pitted
3 Apples – chopped
10 Cinnamon sticks
8 Cloves
10 star anise

Combine all ingredients except the soda water into a punch bowl. Let stand for two hours. Just before serving add soda water. Serve over ice in a wine glass.