The Macunaíma Drink is bold, straightforward, and surprisingly easy to make. With just four ingredients — cachaça, Fernet‑Branca, lime juice, and simple syrup — it delivers a “sour honey” profile with bright citrus, grassy cane spirit, balanced sweetness, and a bitter‑herbal finish. This recipe is adapted to make two servings.
Why I Love the Macunaíma cocktail
Oi, gente!
The Macunaíma is deceptively simple yet layered in flavor and character. It’s essentially a shaken lime sour without egg white; shaken long enough, it forms a delicate, short‑lived foam that brightens the texture.
Flavors combine into a “sour honey” sensation: vivid lime, grassy and vegetal notes from the cachaça, measured sweetness from the syrup, and a herbal bitterness from Fernet‑Branca that gives the drink a finishing kick.
The name honors Mário de Andrade’s novel Macunaíma (1928), whose shapeshifting, irreverent protagonist embodies the contradictions and cultural richness of Brazil. Like the character, the cocktail is bold, layered, and unapologetically Brazilian.
Chef and bartender Arnaldo Hirai created this drink in 2014 at Boca de Ouro in São Paulo. Since then it has become a modern classic in Brazil. The recipe intentionally uses only four essential ingredients, is shaken until frosty, and is traditionally served in a small handleless cup called a barriquinha — a barrel‑shaped cafézinho glass that concentrates aroma and flavor. No garnish, no distractions: the drink speaks for itself.
This version makes two servings. Saúde!
Ingredients
REMEMBER!
Key ingredients:
- Silver cachaça — Brazil’s sugarcane spirit. Use a clean, unaged (silver) cachaça of the best quality you can find; the spirit carries most of the drink’s character. If you can’t find premium Brazilian cachaça locally, widely available brands like Leblon or 51 will work.
- Fernet‑Branca — a bitter, herbal Italian liqueur that adds depth and a green, menthol‑herbal note.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice — fresh juice is essential for bright, clean acidity. Avoid bottled lime juice.
- Simple syrup — equal parts sugar and water, dissolved; adjust concentration to taste.
- Ice — for vigorous shaking and chilling.
For full measurements and step‑by‑step instructions, see the recipe card below.
shop this recipe
Leblon Cachaca, 750ml — available from major retailers
Cocktail shaker set — useful if you don’t already have bar tools
Copo Café or small barrel‑shaped glass to serve
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How to Make the Macunaíma
Prep the ingredients: measure the liquors and squeeze fresh lime juice.
Ice: fill your cocktail shaker (or a large mason jar) about two‑thirds full with ice.
Combine: pour the cachaça, Fernet‑Branca, lime juice, and simple syrup into the shaker.
Shake: close the shaker and shake vigorously until the exterior is frosty, roughly 15–20 seconds. This chills the drink and creates a light foam.
Strain: double‑strain into two small cups (barriquinhas or small lowball/espresso glasses). Serve immediately with no garnish — the aroma should meet the nose directly.
Notes:
Glassware
Traditionally served in a 150ml / 5oz barriquinha — a small barrel‑shaped cup that concentrates aroma and flavor. If you don’t have one, use a small lowball, espresso glass, or coupe around 200ml / 7oz or less.
How to Serve It
Serve immediately and without garnish. The Macunaíma is a nose‑to‑glass drink: the concentrated cup and the simplicity of the presentation let every aroma and flavor note come through. Enjoy while cold.
Saúde!
Other drink recipes you’ll love
- Strawberry Caipirinha Pitcher
- Margarita Pitcher — Classic Margarita
- Batida de Maracujá — Passion Fruit Cocktail with Vodka
- Cachaça Apple Butter Cocktail
For more Brazilian food inspiration, follow the author on social channels.
Macunaíma Drink
Ingredients
- 5 oz. silver cachaça
- 1 oz. Fernet‑Branca
- 2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2.5 oz. simple syrup
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker (or mason jar)
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Cocktail strainer
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Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker about two‑thirds full with ice (6–8 large cubes).
- Pour in the cachaça, Fernet‑Branca, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Close the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into two small glasses and serve immediately.
Saúde!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 335 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29 g | Protein: 0.1 g | Fat: 0.02 g | Sugar: 26 g
Let me know how it was!