Alcoholic

(Let’s talk about these first)

Cerveja

From an international point of view, all Brazilian beers taste the same: they are all lagers or pilsners, as any other type of beer would not agree with the weather. When given an option, ask for Skol.

Chopp

A light beer on tap. Normally preferred over bottled beer.

Caipirinha

   The most refreshing alcoholic mixed-drink in the world! Cachaca, lime, sugar and ice. Great at any occasion: bar, restaurant, clubbing, breakfast. Just don’t buy it from street vendors, as they sometime use ice made from water that can make you sick.  Also, try the caipiroska (aka caipivodka), made with vodka and the caipisake (with sake, duh). And some trendier places offer it with  different fruits: pineapple, strawberry, tangerine, seriguela etc. When given a choice of cachaca, opt for the ones from the north of Minas Gerais or from Salinas.

Batida de Coco

Very smooth drink, will get you drunk without you knowing it. Coconut milk, rum, sugar and other stuff all blended into a milkshake.

Cravinho

Cachaça (pr: ca-sha-ssa= Brazilian rum) aged in oak barrels with cloves and other flavours.

Capeta Guarana powder (stimulant) rum,  condensed milk and any choice of fruit all blended to make a very sweet and tasty  cocktail that`s very hard to get drunk to.  Ideal for girls.

Chilean Wines

While down here, go for the affordable Santa Carolina, or he full bodied Casileiro Del Diablo from Concha&Toro. Given the heat, an espumante may also make more sense, if a bucket of ice is available.

Non Alcoholic

Guaraná

The most popular Brazilian soft drink, great at any occasion.

Mate A deep iced tea from the south of Brazil, made from the mate herb. Available in diet and regular/natural or lemon flavoured. (Reg. Trademark Leão LTDA)

Agua de coco

Coconut water, not milk. Very good for whenever you are dehydrating. 2 will cure most hang-overs.

Água

Since tap water is not potable in Brazil, you should always look for water bottles. SEM gas= non-carbonated, COM gas= carbonated.

Redbull RedBull, Flying Horse, Burn etc. are all energy drinks. Ideal after the late-afternoon siesta.(Pronounced  Hedge-Boo) (Reg. Trademark RedBull GmbH)

Ades Juices

Tasty soy milk juices made from various fruits, normally found in super-markets.