Girl From Ipanema
A sophisticated sparkling cocktail that brings a Brazilian twist to the classic French 75 format. This drink marries the grassy, vegetal notes of Cachaça with tart lemon and earthy agave nectar, all lengthened by an elegant pour of Champagne.
What it tastes like
The aroma presents grassy sugarcane and yeasty brioche. The taste is sharp and bright, blending lemon acidity with the vegetal funk of the cachaça. The mouthfeel is lively and effervescent, ending with a dry, mineral finish.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Cachaça25 ml
- Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml
- Agave Syrup10 ml
- Champagne90 ml
Preparation
- 1
Chill a champagne flute in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
- 2
Add the Cachaça, fresh lemon juice, and agave syrup into a Boston shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously until the tin is frosted.
- 4
Discard the ice from the flute (if used) and fine strain the cocktail base into the glass.
- 5
Top up the glass slowly with chilled Champagne.
- 6
Serve immediately.
Substitutions
- CachaçaWhite Rum — This swap removes the characteristic grassy funk in favor of a smoother, more neutral profile.
- Agave SyrupHoney Syrup — Honey introduces a floral depth and a slightly thicker texture to the cocktail base.
- ChampagneProsecco — Using Prosecco results in a fruitier, less acidic finish with larger, softer bubbles.
- Fresh Lemon JuiceFresh Lime Juice — Lime juice provides a sharper, more tropical citrus bite that highlights the spirit's sugarcane origin.
Variations
Passion Ipanema
Add 10ml of passion fruit purée to the shaker for a tart, tropical fruit profile and a darker golden hue.
Ginger Ipanema
Muddle a thin slice of fresh ginger in the shaker to provide a sharp, spicy heat that cuts through the bubbles.