Skip to main content

Mix It Up On International Cachaça Day

Support Provided By

While most food holidays seem to be created for no other reason than because a certain food's in season -- or because (our pet theory) that the murky Powers That Be bought a few too many fill-in-the-blanks at the local farmer's market -- today's actually has an interesting story behind it: International Cachaça Day is celebrated every year on this date because it marks the anniversary of Portugal declaring the beverage illegal in their colony of Brazil in 1744. Now whether this story is real, or apocryphal, or simply a clever marketing scheme, no one's really sure. But it kind of doesn't matter. (You know, print the legend, etc.) So, let's celebrate this once-maybe-possibly-illegal drink by showcasing the variety of ways it's mixed around the world.

cachaca03
A cocktail made of Abelha Gold cachaça, stirred with sugar cane syrup, Peychaud's bitters and pressed apple juice. Photo by Flickr user Jonny Ho.
cachaca04
A cocktail with Abelha Gold cachaça, stirred with sweet vermouth, orange bitters and Maraschino liqueur. Photo by Flickr user Jonny Ho.
cachaca08
An "iceless banana daiquiri," with mashed banana, rum, cachaça and simple syrup, lime juice and cointreau. Photo by Flickr user urbanbohemian.
cachaca09
Cachaça and "a whole lot of berries." Photo by Flickr user brixton.
cachaca091
A "warm caipi-mojito," made of warm cachaça and with steeped mint leaves. Photo by Flickr user Sifu Renka.
cachaca093
The Abelinha, made of cachaça, honey and pink grapefruit juice, cranberry and pineapple. Photo by Flickr user Jonny Ho.
cac
Cachaça sangria. Photo by Flickr user pit thompson.
cac2
White grapes, ginger, Gewurtztramminer juice from Navarro, Leblon cachaça, limes, and a smoked sugar rim. Photo from the Mokomandy Facebook page.
cac3
Cachaca served from jugs containing various infusions. Photo from Flickr user Marilane Borges.
cac4
Cassava-flavored cachaça. Photo by Flickr user Eduardo Pelosi.

Support Provided By
Read More
A black and white photo of an adult dressed as the easter bunny with a giant costumed head, holding a little girl on their left who gives it a kiss on the cheek and, with his right arm, holding a little boy who brings his hands to his eyes as though wiping away tears.

Behold the Bunnies and Bonnets of L.A.'s Past Easter Celebrations

The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
A black and white image of an elephant holding a broom with its trunk. A man is seen near the elephant, walking towards the animal.

Lions and Tigers and Cameras! How the Movies Gave Los Angeles a Zoo

The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
A vertical, black and white portrait of a blonde woman wearing a sparkly four-leaf clover costume as she holds her arms out and extends a leg as though in a curtsy.

Irish for a Day: L.A.'s History of 'Going Green' on St. Patrick's Day

Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.