Fogo De Chão gives a nod to the country its founders, Arri and Jair Coser, grew up in with its passion fruit caipirinha, a Brazilian cocktail.
“This fresh twist on the caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil, marries passion fruit puree with cachaça to add an extra tropical layer to this cocktail,” says Hailey Higgins, senior manager of Strategic Partnerships at Fogo de Chão, a full-service Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria. “The caipirinha originated in São Paulo, Brazil and the inspiration for us to craft this cocktail at Fogo De Chão allows us to stick true to our heritage and pay homage to Brazil.”
Fogo de Chão’s cocktail is made up of three main ingredients: cachaça, a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice, passion fruit purée, and white sugar.
Of course, a lime is also added to the mix. Cut it in half and remove the core before adding any other ingredients. Then slice the lime thinly against the direction of the core, place it in a rocks glass, and add two tablespoons of sugar. Muddle the lime and sugar together to extract the natural juice of the lime.
Grab a glass, fill it to the brim with ice, and then add the cachaça and passion fruit purée. Shake it thoroughly to ensure the sugar dissolves. Then pour it back into the rocks glass and serve.
Finally, garnish the cocktail with a lime wheel or stick of sugarcane.
“The feedback on the passion fruit caipirinha has been absolutely amazing and it has become one of our most highly requested cocktails,” she says. “Even though we are in the midst of chillier weather, the passion fruit caipirinha transports you to the warm beaches of Brazil with every sip.”
Fogo de Chão is located at 160 Walt Whitman Rd., Unit 1108B, Huntington. It can be reached at 631-382-6161. fogodechao.com/location/long-island-huntington-station.
For more food and drink coverage, visit longislandpress.com/category/food-drink.
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
