BATIDAS ("TROPICAL FRUIT COCKTAILS" )

The most common batidas are made with passion fruit (batida de maracujá), cashew juice (batida de caju), and coconut milk (batida de coco).  Batidas frequently have humorous names like "angel's piss", "virgin's sweat", or "monkey's milk"....... ohhhh Brazilian humour......!!!

BATIDA DE COCO 50 ml of coconut milk 25 ml of cachaça a splash of table cream 2 ice cubes, crushes Shake or blend, and pour.

CAPOEIRA (from Bahia!) 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 small bottle of coconut milk 1/2 cup of Creme de Cacao 1/2 cup cognac Blend until smooth, add crushed ice and serve in tiny glasses.

BATIDA DE MARACUJÁ For each measure of cachaça, use 1/2 of maracujá.  Add sugar and crushed ice to taste, mix and serve.  Remember that passion fruit is very tart!

BATIDA DE CAJU Same as above.  Again cashew juice is very tart, it's a great way to get your vitamin C!  This batida is also called "Caju Amigo" ("Friendly Cashew").

CAFEZINHO (BRAZILIAN COFFEE)

Cafezinho, a diminutive for "café", is almost a synonym for "welcome" in Brazil! Wherever you go, the minute you walk in the door, someone will pop the question "do you want a cafezinho?"..... and they won't take no for an answer!  In offices, someone will come by and serve cafezinhos to you at your desk.  Or you can go to a "coffee bar" and enjoy your cafezinho.  

Recipe for traditional cafezinho....

For each cup of water, use a heaping tablespoon of GOOD coffee ground for espresso.  Add sugar to taste.  
This is how it's done.... you'll need a saucepan which will only be used to make coffee, call it your coffee pan from now on!  
Add water to the pan, add the sugar and dissolve well.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  When the water and sugar mixture boils, add the coffee powder, stir well and remove from heat immediately.  

The next thing you will need is a traditional cloth coffee strainer, which can be found in any market in Brazil or Latin markets.  You can  substitute for a paper filter or Gold filter.  Pour coffee into filter over a tiny cup.  Enjoy!  Remember, Brazilians drink these all day long!