Rio Olympics 2016: Brazilian-Inspired Food & Drinks
Get into the Olympic spirit by trying out these tasty cocktails and snacks that are Brazilian-inspired. By Carly Petrone.
More: Rio Travel Guide | Be An Amateur Olympian | Olympics In NYC | Brazilian Restaurants
Vanishing Act at The Eddy
Cachaca is Brazil's national spirit (made from sugarcane juice) and the third-most consumed spirit in the world. You can test out this sweet liqueur at The Eddy because the bartenders are mixing up the Vanishing Act, a cocktail filled with ingredients you've probably never combined before. This drink is made with Mizu Sochu, Avua Cachaca, Giffard Banana, PX Sherry, honey, green tea, star anise, cardamom seeds, a pinch of turmeric powder and lemon juice. Come try out this unusual cocktail before it's gone.
Let the Alpine Blast at Holiday Cocktail Lounge
Past Coverage: Best Winter Olympics Inspired Cocktails
Bartender Michael Neff is mixing up one refreshing Cachaca-inspired drink over at the Holiday Cocktail Lounge. He's taking everyone's favorite summer fruit juice, watermelon, and mixing it with Avua Prata Cachaca, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, and lime juice. After shaking it well, it's strained into a Collins glass with ice and topped with soda or tonic water. And don't forget the garnish – a watermelon wedge. This cocktail, called the Let the Alpine Blast, sounds like the perfect summer sipper to us! Check out this brand of Cachaca and discover others with Distiller, a new spirits recommendation app.
Notorious Phelps at Bounce Sporting Club
Eat like an Olympian at Bounce Sporting Club! For a limited time, guests can celebrate the 2016 Summer Olympics with the Notorious Phelps burger. This monstrous burger is made with three Pat La Frieda patties, smoked pork belly, truffle hash browns, cheddar cheese, pickled Old Bay hollandaise sauce, and topped with a sunny-side-up egg. This may not cover the 4,000 calories that Phelps supposedly eats per day (when he's training) but it'll get you on your way.
Mia Wallace at The Garret East
The Mia Wallace cocktail over at The Garret East is the perfect drink to cool you down this summer. It's made with Cacao-Infused Avua Prata Cachaca, Amaro Montenegro, condensed milk and whole milk. All of the ingredients and ice are added to a shaker and strained over a juice glass filled with crushed ice, then topped with shaved nutmeg. You may be swapping out your afternoon iced coffee for this refreshing cocktail (at least while you're watching the Olympics anyway.)
Pao de Queijo at Padoca Bakery
More: 8 Best Bakeries In New York City
Stop into Padoca Bakery and nosh on baked goods with a Brazilian flair. Owners Marina Halpern and Rachel Binder use natural, fresh and local ingredients to create specialties that started as Halpern family recipes. Definitely order the PDQ (Brazilian Pao de Queijo) – a traditional cheese bread made from a naturally gluten-free blend of the starchy root plant yucca and cheese. You can try it plain, or as a sandwich with ham, egg and parmesan cheese. The Romeo and Juliet Babka is another stunner. It's made with a combination of guava and cheese and is known as "the perfect love affair," according to Brazilians. You can never go wrong with a fresh Acai bowl, a slice of coconut cake, or an Empadinha. Pair your snack with a cup of Nobletree coffee and gear up for some Summer Olympics viewing.
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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.
