Ready for a three-week international sports spectacle with a bossa nova beat? Today kicks off the 2016 Summer Olympics hosted in Rio de Janeiro. Why not create some fun, Brazilian-style “opening ceremonies” of your own with spirited supplies from Spec’s? Just add your favorite compadres and samba tunes while you cheer the USA team! Below we offer both cocktail and craft beer suggestions.
Brazil’s official spirit, Cachaça (ka-shah-sa) is similar to rum but made from sugar cane juice instead of molasses. Not every place carries it but you’ll find two on our shelves: Pitu Cachaça and 51 Cachaça. Either is ideal for concocting the most Brazilian of cocktails, the Caipirinha.
Caipirinha Cocktail
Ingredients
2½ oz cachaça
1 tsp white sugar
½ lime
Directions
Squeeze lime into an old-fashioned glass. Put in sugar and mix with lime juice. Pour in cachaça, add ice cubes and stir well.
Brazilian Beers
Craft beer aficionados, grab these adventurous choices to explore the Brazilian brew scene.
Xingu Black Lager
Named after the Xingu River, a tributary of the Amazon, Xingu (pronounced shin-goo) Black Lager is Brazil’s premium export.
Guanabara or Berthô
Both from Cervarjaria Colorado, one of the original craft breweries in Brazil. Why “Colorado”? That’s where their brewing equipment came from!
