Brazil’s national spirit, cachaça, is the soul of the country’s most famous cocktail, the caipirinha. Distilled from fresh sugarcane juice, cachaça offers a wide spectrum of flavors, from grassy and floral to rich and smoky, depending on the aging process. Whether you prefer it neat, in a handcrafted cocktail, or mixed into a classic caipirinha, there’s no better place to enjoy cachaça than in Brazil itself. From vibrant beach bars to historic distilleries, here’s where to drink cachaça and caipirinhas in Brazil.
1. Rio de Janeiro – Classic Beachside Drinking
🍋 Bar do Mineiro (Santa Teresa)
A legendary boteco in the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa, Bar do Mineiro serves one of Rio’s best classic caipirinhas, made with locally sourced cachaça. Pair it with their famous feijoada for the ultimate Brazilian experience.
🌊 Kiosque Quase Nove (Ipanema Beach)
For the perfect beachside caipirinha, head to this kiosk along Ipanema Beach. Here, bartenders muddle fresh limes with sugar and ice before pouring in artisanal cachaça, creating a refreshing drink best enjoyed with your feet in the sand.
🎶 Academia da Cachaça (Leblon)
A must-visit for cachaça enthusiasts, this bar boasts an impressive collection of over 100 cachaças from all over Brazil. Try a tasting flight to experience different styles, from unaged white cachaças to premium barrel-aged varieties.
2. São Paulo – Craft Cocktails and Premium Cachaça
🍸 Astor (Vila Madalena)
This upscale bar is famous for its expertly crafted caipirinhas and creative cachaça cocktails. Their house special, the Caipirinha de Jabuticaba, is made with Brazil’s native black berry, adding a unique twist to the classic recipe.
🥃 Veloso Bar (Vila Mariana)
Locals swear by Veloso’s caipirinhas, made with a variety of tropical fruits like passionfruit, tangerine, and cashew fruit. Their cachaça selection is equally impressive, featuring brands from across Brazil’s top-producing regions.
🍹 SubAstor (Hidden Cocktail Bar)
Located beneath Bar Astor, this speakeasy-style bar offers an elegant take on cachaça-based cocktails. Try their Barrel-Aged Caipirinha, where the drink is matured in a wooden cask for extra depth of flavor.
3. Paraty – The Heart of Artisanal Cachaça
🏡 Engenho D’Ouro Cachaçaria
Nestled in the lush Atlantic rainforest, this family-run distillery produces handcrafted small-batch cachaças using traditional copper stills. Take a tour, sample different aged varieties, and learn about the craft of cachaça-making from the experts.
🍹 Cachaçaria Cana da Praça
This charming bar in Paraty’s historic center specializes in infused cachaças, featuring flavors like cinnamon, cocoa, and passionfruit. Their house caipirinhas are made with locally distilled spirits, giving them an authentic regional taste.
4. Salvador – Tropical Vibes & Strong Caipirinhas
🌅 Mirante Forte Santa Maria
Overlooking the turquoise waters of Porto da Barra, this seaside bar serves some of the best coconut-infused cachaça caipirinhas in Bahia. The views and the strong drinks make it a must-visit spot at sunset.
🪘 Boteco da Mãozinha
A hidden gem in the Pelourinho district, this bar specializes in Bahian-style caipirinhas, featuring tropical fruits like cajá (a tangy Brazilian fruit) and umbu. Their house cachaça is smooth and aromatic, making for a dangerously drinkable cocktail.
5. Minas Gerais – The Land of Traditional Cachaça
🏺 Cachaçaria Vale Verde (Belo Horizonte)
For a deep dive into cachaça culture, visit Vale Verde, one of Brazil’s most famous cachaça distilleries. Take a guided tour, sip on award-winning aged cachaças, and learn about the traditional aging process in oak barrels.
🍍 Xapuri
A rustic farm-style restaurant serving cachaça-infused drinks alongside hearty Minas Gerais cuisine. Try the Pineapple & Cinnamon Caipirinha, a local favorite that perfectly complements the rich regional flavors.
6. Recife – Street-Side Cocktails and Cachaça Culture
🎭 Sargação Bar
A lively bar in the historic city center, Sargação is known for its affordable and creative caipirinhas, often made with exotic fruits like graviola (soursop) and tamarind.
🏖 Bar do Marcão (Boa Viagem Beach)
Sip on a classic lime caipirinha while enjoying fresh seafood and ocean views. This beach bar is a local favorite for strong, no-frills cocktails served in massive glasses.
How to Drink Cachaça Like a Local
✅ Know the Difference
- Cachaça Branca (white/unaged) – Fresh, grassy, and often used in cocktails.
- Cachaça Envelhecida (aged) – Aged in barrels like oak, amburana, or balsam, giving it richer flavors of vanilla, spice, or honey.
- Cachaça Artesanal – Handcrafted in small batches, often from family-owned distilleries.
✅ Try Different Caipirinhas
While the classic caipirinha is made with lime, sugar, and cachaça, many places offer fruit variations like passion fruit, pineapple, or even spicy versions with chili.
✅ Sip It Neat
In Brazil, aged cachaça is often enjoyed straight, much like whiskey or rum. Look for premium brands like Anísio Santiago, Leblon Reserva Especial, or Espírito de Minas for a smooth sipping experience.
Final Toast: Saúde!
Whether you’re drinking a caipirinha on the sands of Ipanema, tasting artisanal cachaça in Paraty, or enjoying a refined cocktail in São Paulo, Brazil offers endless opportunities to experience its beloved national spirit. Wherever you go, raise your glass and say “Saúde!” – to good drinks, good vibes, and unforgettable moments. 🍹🇧🇷