Audacious Freedom Live anywhere. Travel everywhere.

Travelling is about is exploring. Exploring is not limited to the sites that can be seen and photographed. Exploring is about experiencing, trying new things and learning local etiquette. For me there seems no point going to a foreign country and sticking to what is known. Part of the fun is ordering things that I don’t know, can’t pronounce and finding out it is delicious. Here are my top favourite 4 Brazilian drinks:

The Coconut:

The coconut is ubiquitous in Rio. Walking along the beach front from Copacabana to Leblon you will find Carioca’s sitting on plastic chairs next to coconut vendors, sipping the coconut water through a straw from green coconuts. There is nothing more refreshing than an ice cold coconut on a hot Brazilian day. After sipping your drink, do as the locals do, and ask the waiter to cut it open with a machete so that you can eat the coconut flesh.

According to the locals in Rio the coconut water is not only good to rehydrate you while you work on browning your body, but is a sworn cure for hangovers. So just in case you drink too many caipirinhas don’t forget the humble and tasty coconut!

Caipirinha:

Don’t leave Brazil without trying the national drink. Traditionally a caipirinha cocktail is made with cachaça, sugar, lime and crushed ice. [Cachaça, comes from fermenting sugar cane and then distilling it.] Locals will drink this at any time of the day, and you can order one at most coconut vendors along the beach front.  I found that it ‘tasted’ the best watching the sun set over the sea, surrounded by noisy and entertaining locals after a long hard exhausting day experiencing Rio .

With the growing popularity of caipirinhas both inside and outside of Brazil the word ‘caipirinha’ now refers to any drink made with cachaça and fruit. My favourite was definitely the traditional caipirinha followed very closely by the strawberry one!

Chai Latte:

Ever since an Indian colleague made me this drink I have been in love with it. Unfortunately it is hard to find the real version, most often what is sold as chai latte is actually a sweet syrup added to hot milk. I was dubious about ordering a chai latte at the local Cafehino in Copacabana. I was instantly hooked – it was made with Indian spices boiled in evaporated milk. I was so hooked by this drink that every afternoon no matter where we were or had planned it had to include a stop at my favourite Cafehino for a chai latte. Don’t miss this tasty hot drink!

Guarana Antartica:

I wouldn’t normally write a specific brand name but after tasting a couple of different types, the best tasting one is Guarana Antartica. It is also the most popular type sold in cafes, restaurants and shops – in fact it is the second best selling drink after coca-cola. I also found out that Brazil is supposed to be the third largest consumer of soft drinks and after tasting this drink I can understand why even though I am not a fan of soft drinks.