Shaking up Cachaça with Sam Treadway

Ames Street Deli

Olympians of the Boston bar scene are working feats of balance and strength with cachaça cocktails, giving the national booze of Brazil its moment in the limelight. Backbar co-owner Sam Treadway mixes Avuá Cachaça’s silver spirit into a drink that’s pure gold—below he shares the recipe with tasting notes and cachaça wisdom so you can broaden your cocktail borders.


Cachaça is still a spirit category that’s gaining traction but it’s not as universal in America yet. But I find that in the bars that I run, people are kind of seeking out craft cocktails and they want to try new flavors.

It’s made using more of the sugar cane [than rum] so you get a little vegetal funkiness that is kind of surprising for your novice drinker.

Agricole rhum can sort of live in its own world, like “Hey! We are funky. We are a weird rum. If you like us, cool. If you don’t, whatever.” Cachaça being the national spirit of Brazil, there’s so many different companies out there making so many different styles that I think the trend has geared towards a tiny bit smoother. It’s a little bit easier going than some of the agricoles.

I usually use the oak-aged when I’m making a stronger, stirred drink, like a Manhattan, or martini-esque drink. For people who like whiskey or aged rums, it’s going to be more recognizable.

The amburana [Avuá’s aged cachaça] is a little crazy. It’s very unique—cool, cinnamon spice.

Opening Ceremonies is a funky refreshing cocktail that is brightened up by the Avuá Prata Cachaça. The fresh green notes of cachaça pair well with basil and pineapple. The sherry keeps the cocktail dry and adds depth. The sesame oil is an unexpected, but welcoming, aroma. This drink has the classic Brazilian flavors of a traditional Caipirinha, but incorporates flavors from around the world – including sherry, basil and sesame oil. (It would be a perfect drink to enjoy on one of Brazil’s beautiful beaches.)

Opening Ceremonies - Sam Treadway - Massachusetts1Opening Ceremonies
1.25 Avuá Prata Cachaça
0.75 lustau fino sherry
0.5 house lime syrup
0.5 fresh pineapple juice
3 basil leaves

Shake all ingredients with 3 basil leaves. Double strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with lime wheel, basil leaf and 3 drops of sesame oil on the basil leaf.

For more Olympic-level beverages, head to Backbar during the summer games. For more info on cachaça and Avuá, read up here and raise a glass to Rio.

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