Cachaça

Very popular in Brazil, this spirit is currently seeing a rise in Stateside popularity. Cachaça is similar to rum, but recognized as a distinctly separate alcohol. While rum is typically made from molasses, cachaça is distilled straight from fresh sugarcane juice that is fermented. Cachaça is rarely sipped straight; instead, it’s most often consumed in the caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil. The caipirinha involves a combination of limes, sugar and ice and of course cachaça. The result is a tart and slightly sweet cocktail that finishes with a fiery kick.

Photo via Flickr/Ludmila Tavares