Brazil is red-hot, which is no surprise to this former "garota da Rio," and Leblon is an ultra-premium cachaça that is a head and nose above the others in the cachaça market.

Leblon (www.LiveLoveLeblon.com) is one of the famous beaches in Rio de Janeiro, and like chic Rio, Leblon cachaça, whose motto is "Live, Love, Leblon" is all about lifestyles. Cachaça, (pronounced kah-shah-suh), made with the juice of sugar cane, which is then distilled and fermented, is the alcohol of Brazil. Leblon ultra-premium cachaça has 40% alcohol, is made in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais from the juice of sugar cane, is distilled in Alambique copper stills and is then sent to France for slight aging in French cognac casks that smoothes the product without taking away the distinct character of cachaça. The result is a superior product with a sweet nose of sugar cane, a quality taste and is perfect mixed in cocktails.

Leblon Cachaca Caipirinha

One of the most famous ways to drink cachaça is in the form of the cocktail, the Caipirinha, which is made with cachaça, fresh limes muddled with super fine sugar and served on the rocks. I have seen (and drank) this famous symbol of Brazil at many bars during my travels around the world, and although it is delicious, Leblon cachaça really is not limited to the Caipirinha, and can be used to create a wide variety of cocktails.

With the growing trend for cocktailians and bar customers looking to discover the next new spirit, cachaça is definitely on their radarscope, and Leblon will be the cachaça of choice, as they seek to update classic recipes as well as create new ones.

Two innovative cachaça cocktails are the Kumquat-Ginger Caipirinha (2 ounces Leblon cachaça, 5 kumquats sliced, 1.5 -2 teaspoons superfine sugar, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger) and the Watermelon Smash (1.5 ounces Leblon cachaça, 0.5 ounce Lemoncello, 0.5 ounce simple syrup, 2 wedges of watermelon), which would be perfect at your next summer party.

Party Time with Leblon

The word "batida" (pronounced bah-chee-dah) in Portuguese means cocktail, and a classic Batida da Coco is a cocktail made with cachaça, coconut milk and condensed milk. I tweaked this recipe to create Luxury Experience's Coco Azul, which translated means Blue Coconut, and offers a tasty alternative that is as colorful as Brazil.

Luxury Experience's Coco Azul

3 ounces coconut milk
2.25 ounces Leblon cachaça
2 tablespoons condensed milk
2 ounces blueberries
squeeze of lime wedge
4 ice cubes
Extra blueberries for a garnish

Add all of the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour liquefied ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake hard and pour into a margarita glass. Garnish with a few blueberries.

When I was in Tiradentes, Brazil, I tried what I first thought was a delectable "candy" that actually turned out to be made with gelatin and cachaça. On a recent trip to Brazil, my friend Regina Sacilotti and I had fun trying to discover the correct proportions to recreate the Tiradentes "candy". This version comes close to what we remember, and should be consumed in small quantities.

Luxury Experience's Cachaça Candy

1 package flavored gelatin
½ cup boiling water
¼ cup Leblon cachaça

In a bowl, mix the flavored gelatin with boiling water and stir to dissolve. Add the Leblon cachaça and stir. Pour into a square pan and set in the refrigerator overnight until very firm. Cut into small squares.

A Brazilian party would not be complete without "brigadeiro," which is decadent chocolate fudge. I incorporated Leblon cachaça into this "Adults only" recipe.

Luxury Experience's Lush-ous Brigadeiro

1 can condensed milk
2/3 can milk
1/3 can Leblon cachaça
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon butter
1 jar of chocolate sprinkles

In a medium pan, add the condensed milk, butter, cocoa and milk, and stir well to combine. Cook over medium heat until mixture starts to thicken, and then add the Leblon cachaça. Continue stirring while cooking until the chocolate mixture comes away from the sides of the pan and starts to look dry.

Pour in a bowl and let cool. When completely cool, butter your hands, use a teaspoon amount of chocolate and roll into a ball, and then roll the ball in the chocolate sprinkles. Complete the process until all of the chocolate is used. Put the candy in paper cups, and set in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Put a few Brazilian CDs on, create a few Leblon cachaça cocktails, and create your own version of Leblon beach. You may be at your favorite bar or in your backyard, but at least in your mind, you too, can "Live, Love, Leblon."

LEBLON, LLC - New York, NY (main inquiries)
151 West 25th Street 6th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Telephone: +1 212.741.2675
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.LiveLoveLeblon.com

© July 2006. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.