Just a few years ago the most exotic drink most Cariocas could think of was a lime caipivodka but as the number of bars and restaurants investing in genuine mixologists increase, the city is being introduced en masse to a world of high quality liqueurs and cocktails. However, with Brazil currently in recession, spending a night knocking back cocktails perhaps isn’t the most economically shrewd thing to do. And that’s why we have listed below the 5 best spots for cheap cocktails, whether original creations or classic recipes executed with aplomb, here are the best places to drink under R$25.
Run by Chef Ju Reis of japanese eatery Epifania Oriental, this house prides itself on it’s dishes made from start to finish in its kitchen. From pizza dough, to its bread, even its ketchup, everything is made in‐house. And to accompany these culinary delights, what better than a good cocktail? The Capiroto made with vodka, red fruits, Sicilian lemon and frosted with sugar and pepper. The Jack’s Star combines Jack Daniels, starfruit, passionfruit and lime foam. Each one goes for R$24 or R$10 if ordered as a shot.
After going through a big refurbishment job, this bar located next to the Hotel Marina in Leblon has gained a new cocktail menu put together by award‐winning mixologist Tai Barbin. A creation that predates Barbin’s arrival and an absolute classic here is the chope de tangerine, a combination of vodka, tangerine juice, ginger foam, honey and lemon mantains pride of place alongside the new drinks such as the super light tókio, which contains sake, lemongrass, grapefruit and Sicilian lemon. Every order is R$24.
It was where you can drink the most famous and awarded‐winning caipirinha in the city. Created by a Portuguese family at their beach kiosk in Leblon , hence the name. Today the bar can be found at Copacabana. With fresh fruit always in abundance, there’s the opportunity to try creative flavour combinations like mango and blackberry, tangerine and ginger, and strawberry with lemon and mint. Caipis made with cachaça go for R$17 and with national vodka for R$19. If you’re after something different, try a bicolor caipi; two flavours, pineapple and mango or red fruit and kiwi, separated in the glass by a slice of lime (R$22).
This place has undergone a big change. Initially a bar‐cum‐nightclub then the focus turned squarely to Japanese cuisine. Now under the command of the brains behind healthy takeaway joint in Leblon, Jaeé, Bar do Praia has also entered the healthy food market with light and nutritionally‐balanced meals. However, if a good cocktail doesn’t weight on your conscience, try their new additions such as the drink da praia (R$25) made with jabuticaba fruit, sparkling wine, limoncello and mint. Then there are caipis: melon, Persian lime, ginger, and sake and mint are all to choose from (R$22). The latter combination can also be ordered as a 1.8l jug to share between friend for R$80.
This bar is a real paradise for lovers of good and aged cachaça. The extensive menu offers labels from every corner of Brazil and presents them in almost didactic manner, providing details about each cachaça. But if a cachaça straight‐up isn’t really your thing, make sure you try this true Carioca classic: the Cocada Geladinha (R$16.50), frozen coconut pulp, cachaça and coconut water. There’s also the caipirinha Leblon, made with Leblon cachaça, passionfruit and basil (R$21.50).
