Frothy, tart, and fruity, the Batida cocktail is the summer surprise you’ve been waiting for.
Have you ever been to Brazil? No? That’s okay, I’ve never been either. As much as I long to visit the beaches of Rio, ride a cable car up to Sugarloaf and party during Carnaval, there are no immediate plans in my future for taking such a trip. But often I’ll get that hankering, a pair of itchy feet clamoring for adventure with sights unseen as well as new flavors, sounds and smells to experience. One of my favorite ways to “arrive without traveling” as George Harrison once sang, is with a cocktail.
You might think, “oh sure, drink enough of any alcohol and you’ll think you’re on the moon”, but that’s not what I mean. Many spirits come from a number of far-flung places across the globe. I’m of a mind that when you taste something like Campari, which of course hails from Italy, you’re tasting not just the infusions of flavor, but also history and tradition. No matter what the liquor or liqueur is, its carries with it a piece of the culture it was born from.
Tonight, I’m feeling some Brazilian vibes, but can’t exactly hop a plane and scoot down to Rio on a whim. I can always throw on some samba music and try to teach the cat how to Bossa Nova, which does sound like a good time. But what would make this activity even better? A Brazilian cocktail, something fruity, tart and strong. Something that, when I drink it, reminds me of a place I’ve never been before and when I go to sleep, will make me dream of memories I’ve not yet had.
One of the most famous and well-known drinks from Brazil is the Caipirinha, which is made using their national liquor called cachaça. Tonight, we’re gonna do something a little different and make another of that country’s popular drinks, the Batida.
Pronounced ba-CHEE-da, this cocktail uses the same spirit, cachaça, but goes for a blended and more smoother texture. Using coconut milk and passionfruit syrup, this tropical tasting tipple resembles an Orange Julius (one of my favorite treats) but carries quite the kick.
What is Cachaça?
Considered the national drink of Brazil, cachaça is a spirit from fermented sugarcane, one of the nation’s largest crops. Sweet and strong, many often compare this particular booze with the similar tasting rum, but the flavor of raw sugarcane gives it an identity all its own.
What is the Best Cachaça to Use in a Batida?
At my local liquor store, I really only have a handful of brands to choose from, all reasonably priced and all from Brazil, naturally. Unaged versions of the spirit can take on an earthy, grassy flavor and aged options will take on the flavors of the barrels they’re stored in. The aged versions are a little pricier, but also much more complex in their flavors and when mixed in to a Batida, those intense and robust notes will float beautifully throughout your drink as you sip.
Ingredients
- 2 oz cachaça
- 1 oz passion fruit syrup
- 1/2 oz coconut milk
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- Pineapple leaf for garnish
- Grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the cachaça, passion fruit syrup, coconut milk, and lime juice in a blender.
- Add about 3/4 cup of ice to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended cocktail into a rocks glass and garnish with a fresh pineapple leaf and a sprinkle of grated nutmeg on top. Serve with a straw.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
The frothy top of the Batida looks elegant and delectable in a rocks glass, garnished with a pineapple leaf and sprinkle of nutmeg on the top.
Yes, you can blend everything together and store it in your fridge for a day or two, and then pop it in the freezer for about thirty minutes before you serve, reviving the creamy and thick quality of the cocktail.
Each glass you enjoy will be around 156 calories, so the Batida is much lighter than it tastes. And since it tastes amazing, this is definitely good news.
While this drink is a favorite for many, the most popular mixed beverage in Brazil is the Caipirinha.
Similar Cocktails to the Batida
One of the joys of discovering new drinks from all around the world is how many more you find with each one you try. If you’re tired of the same old, same old and crave some flavors that will invigorate your tastebuds, Twist & Toast will keep you busy with some delicious and exotic tipples. Check out a few of them below and keep exploring!
- Caipirinha – The classic cachaça-based cocktail will get you dancing in the streets with its sweet and tart flavors.
- Caipiroska – Using vodka instead of cachaça in this version of the Caipirinha gives the cocktail a brighter and crisper bite.
- Coconut Mojito – Creamy and minty, this refreshing rum tipple is the perfect way to end a hot day.
- Passion Fruit Caipirinha – I enter the world of cachaça with this fruity, tropical concoction.
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