Hello, fellow cocktail enthusiasts! I’m Mateo Alves, and today I bring you a recipe that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of São Paulo.
Mateo is a passionate percussionist, drawing inspiration for his beats from the rhythms of his Brazilian heritage. He is also an avid traveler, seeking out new destinations to explore and savor. With a background in architecture, Mateo finds beauty in both the structured lines of buildings and the fluidity of nature. In his downtime, you can often find him experimenting with mixology, infusing his creations with a touch of his cultural roots. Mateo is a true connoisseur of life, always eager to share his experiences through his diverse interests.
Mateo Alves currently resides in Spain and grew up in Brazil.
Hailing from the heart of Brazil, a land known for its rich culinary heritage and inventive libations, crafting the São Paulo Sour feels like a taste of home distilled into a cocktail.
The São Paulo Sour takes its roots from the bustling city of São Paulo, a melting pot of cultures where the streets hum with energy and the flavors of cachaça and tamarind dance in the air.
What you need
Get ready to embark on a flavor-filled journey to São Paulo with my enticing concoction, the São Paulo Sour cocktail! This Brazilian-inspired delight combines the rich and oak-kissed aged cachaça with the zesty twist of tamarind liqueur, creating a harmonious dance of flavors on your palate. To craft this tantalizing libation, we shake together aged cachaça, tamarind liqueur, fresh lemon juice, silky orgeat, and a hint of aromatic Angostura bitters, ensuring a symphony of taste in each sip. Double-strained over ice and garnished with a lemon twist, this cocktail not only refreshes but also transports you to the vibrant streets of São Paulo with every indulgent sip. Cheers to a sip of Brazil in every glass!
Ingredients:
- Aged Cachaça – Aged cachaça brings a rich and robust flavor to the cocktail, with notes of oak and caramel. If unavailable, white rum can be used as a substitute.
- Tamarind Liqueur – Tamarind liqueur adds a unique tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile to the São Paulo Sour, complementing the cachaça. If needed, tamarind concentrate or syrup can be mixed with a clear spirit as an alternative.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a bright and citrusy kick to balance the richness of the cachaça and tamarind liqueur. Substitute with lime juice for a different citrus twist.
- Orgeat – Orgeat syrup adds a touch of almond sweetness and a silky texture to the cocktail, enhancing its overall mouthfeel. Almond syrup or simple syrup can be used as substitutes.
- Angostura Bitters – Angostura bitters lend depth and complexity to the São Paulo Sour, providing a subtle spice and herbal aroma. Other aromatic bitters like Peychaud’s can be used as a replacement.
Utensils:
- Cocktail Shaker – Essential for mixing and chilling the ingredients thoroughly. Can be replaced with a mixing glass and bar spoon if shaken vigorously.
- Jigger – Helps to accurately measure the liquid ingredients for a well-balanced cocktail. A shot glass with measurement markings can be used as a substitute.
- Fine Mesh Strainer – Used to strain any pulp or ice shards from the cocktail for a smooth texture. A small sieve or tea strainer can serve as alternatives.
- Citrus Juicer – Ideal for extracting fresh juice from lemons. Can be replaced by hand-squeezing or using a reamer if a juicer is not available.
- Bar Spoon – Helps to stir and layer ingredients gently in cocktails. A long-handled teaspoon can be used as a makeshift bar spoon.
Aged Cachaça: Unveiling the Rich Brazilian Essence
As I delve into the realm of mixology, one spirit that never fails to captivate me is aged cachaça. Hailing from the vibrant lands of Brazil, this spirit is crafted with sugarcane juice, aged in wooden barrels to imbue it with a distinct complexity. The oak and caramel notes in aged cachaça elevate the São Paulo Sour to new heights of sophistication and flavor. While moderation is key due to its alcohol content, savoring a well-balanced cocktail with aged cachaça is an experience worth cherishing.
Tamarind Liqueur: A Tangy Twist to Cocktail Creativity
In the symphony of flavors that dance within a cocktail glass, tamarind liqueur performs a zesty tango that leaves a lasting impression. The sweet and sour notes of tamarind, a fruit often revered for its bold taste, add a delightful complexity to the São Paulo Sour. While tamarind may not be a popular choice in every cocktail, its unique profile shines brightly in this recipe, offering a refreshing and exotic touch that intrigues the palate and elevates the overall drinking experience.
What to serve it with?
I love serving the São Paulo Sour alongside a spread of traditional Brazilian snacks like pão de queijo and coxinha. The cheesy goodness of pão de queijo and the savory delight of coxinha perfectly complement the zesty and rich flavors of the cocktail. It’s a nostalgic nod to my childhood, where family gatherings were always accompanied by these delectable treats, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that I aim to recreate with every sip of the São Paulo Sour.
Summary
Indulge in the São Paulo Sour and let its harmonious blend of flavors whisk you away to the vibrant streets of Brazil. I’d love to hear from you – which element of this cocktail ignites your passion more: the oak-kissed cachaça, the zesty tamarind twist, or perhaps the silky orgeat? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s toast to the tantalizing journey of taste together. Saúde!
Here’s the recipe:
São Paulo Sour: A Refreshing Brazilian Cocktail Twist
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Jigger
- fine mesh strainer
- citrus juicer
- Bar Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aged Cachaça
- 0.75 oz Tamarind Liqueur
- 0.75 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Orgeat
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients - Gather all the required ingredients for the São Paulo Sour recipe: aged cachaça, tamarind liqueur, lemon juice, orgeat, and Angostura bitters. - Ensure all ingredients are fresh and chilled, and have the necessary utensils like a cocktail shaker, jigger, and fine mesh strainer ready for use.
- Mix Cocktail - In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz aged cachaça, 0.75 oz tamarind liqueur, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz orgeat. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. - Shake the cocktail vigorously with ice to chill and thoroughly mix the ingredients for a perfectly balanced drink.
- Strain and Serve - Double-strain the cocktail mixture into a chilled rocks glass over ice using a fine mesh strainer. Optionally, garnish with a lemon twist or tamarind pod. - Double straining ensures a smooth texture without any pulp or ice shards in the final drink, enhancing the overall presentation.
