The Culinary Media Network went down to Rayuela on the Lower East Side of New York City and filmed Junior Merino as he created a cocktail using Cachaça and Absinthe. The Liquid chef, shows us how to make the Absinthe-Cachaça cocktail step-by-step behind the bar. His recipe includes; Granny Smith apples, Fresh lime juice, celery, Absinthe, and Leblon Cachaça.
Cachaça: It’s the Essence of Brazil in a Bottle is how USA Today described the new emergence of not only a new spirit, a new cocktail, but also a new category that is emerging in the US. The origins of cachaça in Brazil dating back to the 1500s with no refined and harsh qualites, brands in the US are becoming more refined and palatable. ...”and now that the quality has improved significantly cachaça is now catching on in the USA at fashionable waterholes and upscale eateries”.
“People always want different and better” says Leblon president Steve Luttmann, whose New York Headquartered company entered in the US market in 2006. “In spirits, there’s are trend for super premiums. We’re experiencing vodka fatigue; people are moving over to cachaça and rum. It’s a cultural phenomenon that has a strong Latin undercurrent”.
Leblon Cachaça, currently featured as one of the “Cachaça’s of the moment in the May/June issue of Market Watch is proof that Leblon Cachaça is here and that it is here to stay. “The caipirinha-cachaca’s signature drink- is driving the spirits sales. Leblon has introduced flavor variants, like honey and raspberry Caipirinhas.......
The growing number of cachaças hitting the market indicates further success for this Brazilian spirit. “It’s good that there are more brands out there teaching consumers about cachaça and the Caipirinha” says Leblon’s Luttmann. There is still more than enough room in the category for competition”.
April 1, 2009
Top Cachaça Takes Gold Medal at The San Francisco Spirits Competition
Since 2006, Leblon Cachaça has been awarded the gold medal at the 9th Annual San Francisco Spirits Competition, making it the first time a Cachaça has been awarded four consecutive gold medals. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is judged by the top spirits experts in the industry and is the first International spirits competition to be held in the United States annually.
The quality and consistency of Leblon lies in the hands of the World Renowned Master Distiller, Gilles Merlet, who oversees the production process at The Maison Leblon in Patos de Minas, the most fertile sugarcane region in Brazil. The ability to maintain complete quality control of the product from the cutting of the cane to small batch distillation in alambique copper potstills and overseeing the bottling process allows for the production of a world-class product. “We single batch distill the juice, resulting in a spectacular nose of floral flavor and aroma. Then we polish the Cachaça by resting the distillate in vintage XO Cognac casks for up to 6 months,” says Merlet. “Using traditional cellar master techniques, the various batches are blended, adding deep complexity, body, and character to the Cachaça. We then organically triple-filter and bottle in crystalline glass.”
August 27, 2008
Every Fruit Has an Herbal Partner to Create a Perfect Balance
Junior Merino, The Liquid Chef, provides a list of the top ten fruits and herbs as well as the 5 Elements to Creating a Well Balanced Cocktail.
It is no surprise that fresh fruits and fresh ingredients have been popping up on cocktail menus throughout the country. Fresh ingredients are no longer being used just during the summer months; they are being used to create better tasting and healthier cocktails year round. "As a mixologist I have spent years working, with bartenders and customers that want to make their own drinks at home, with pre-arranged fruit and herbal pairings that work masterfully for cocktail combinations," says Junior Merino. "I grew up in the kitchen as a young boy and have spent years working on and perfecting the taste profiles among fruits and herbs. Below is a list of the top ten fruits and herbs as well as the 5 Elements to Creating a Well Balanced Cocktail, provided by Merino.
June 13, 2008
Leblon Cachaça establishes State-of-the-Art Artisanal Distillery in Minas Gerais.
Leblon Cachaça completed the purchase of its State-of-the-Art Distillery in Brazil this week. Located in the heart of the fertile Minas Gerais region, the Distillery will be a showcase for Small Batch Alambique Cachaça production in Brazil, allowing Leblon to meet the ever-growing demand for its luxury Cachaça in Brazil and around the world.
“With our new dedicated distillery, we can continue to employ our unique artisanal techniques while meeting the increasing demand for Leblon,” says Gilles Merlet, Master Distiller and Co-Founder of Leblon Cachaça. The distillery was purchased from Leblon’s previous partner, who has been working with Leblon since its inception.
June 2, 2008
Leblon Cachaça launches nationwide Cachaça 101 and Caipirinha classes to educate and put the question to rest.
As the Founders of Leblon Cachaça, we are constantly asked: what is Cachaça? How do you say it? How do you use it? And most often: is it a Rum or not?
Cachaça is currently the fastest growing spirit in the United States, and more and more Americans are discovering Cachaça, the national spirit of Brazil. Cachaça grew from a mere 261k liters in 2005 to 450k liters in 2006 and 720k liters in 2007, and is expected to surpass over 900k liters this year, growing 50% versus 2007. That’s nearly 20 million Caipirinhas and growing!
To learn more about Cachaça and how to make great Caipirinhas, the experts at Leblon will be providing complimentary Cachaça Tastings and Caipirinha Classes this summer in major cities throughout the United States. Class locations, dates, and times will be posted on the Cachaca 101 website.
The trendy restaurant in New York City, Kingswood, brought their hot venue to East Hampton for the weekend of July 12th. Leblon Cachaça was invited to be part of the event to bring the hit drink of the summer (The Caipirinha of course) to their exclusive private estate.
Set amongst 15 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, the estate boasts a host of opportunities. With gardens, a heated sunken pool, pool house, tennis and volleyball course and even a soccer field, which was put to use throughout the day!
Leblon was given an exclusive bar which was hosted by mixologist, Junior Merino and his team as they served up delicious Cucumber + Jalapeno Caipirinhas, Pineapple Passion Fruit Caipirinhas, and the traditional Caipirinha.
It was an unforgettable day and evening- Every last drop of Leblon was served!
Location: Sunset Tower Hotel, Los Angeles
After their recent victory on Dancing with the Stars Helio Castroneves and his dancing partner Julianne Hough celebrated in style at the Sunset Tower Hotel. LEBLON was the official sponsor of the event serving the classic Leblon Caipirinha and the delicious Strawberry Caipirinha which were both a hit with the stars and guests. Between caipirinhas Helio and Julianne took to the floor and treated everyone to a taste of what won them gold on the show. Other contestants from the show in attendance were Sabrina Bryan, Derek Hough, Lisa Rinna and husband Harry Hamlin. Overall this victory party was a great way to celebrate the charisma and talent of both Helio and Julianne with great music, amazing caipirinhas and of course fantastic dancing!
Location: Biltmore, Phoenix
LEBLON was serving the World's Top Cachaça at the official grand opening for the Brazilian clothing store Six Star in the very exclusive Biltmore area. Six Star had a fashion show to showcase their clothing line with Caipoera and Samba Dancers.
With over 300 people in attendance the buzz in the air was: Have you tried the Pineapple & Mint Caipirinha? Where do I buy this stuff? I have had caipirinhas in Brazil, but the LEBLON Caipirinha is by far the best caipirinha I have had. With great music, energy and LEBLON Caipirinhas it was a great time for all!
Location: New York City
LEBLON Cachaça was an official sponsor of Nolcha Fashion week hosted in New York City from Sept 5th-Sept 12th. Nolcha Fashion Week is a place where fashion ideas start, where talents flourish, and lots of LEBLON caipirinhas are consumed. LEBLON and Nolcha came together to help new and emerging brands succeed in the marketplace. As new brands, LEBLON served various caipirinhas ranging from the Full Bodied Caipirinha to the Skinny Caipirinha, while Nolcha highlighted designers to help promote the new up and comers in the fashion industry by the likes of Alison Kelly to Jennifer Nicole Lee. LEBLON and the beautiful models were the highlight of the event and the LEBLON in-house band Muddling on the Beach was of course there to play classic Brazilian beats to a fashion forward and trendy crowd.
Location: St Tropez, FR
Guests at Nikki Beach in swanky St. Tropez felt as if they were right in the heart of Carnaval in Brazil - sexy sambistas, shirtless capoeiristas, and Leblon caipirinhas! The guests stayed all night long watching the entertainers, dancing the night away and drinking Leblon Cachaça down to the very last drop.
Location: The Grand Illusion at Flowers Restaurant in Wilton Manors.
Leblon’s Caipirinha Bar wasn't the only “hit” at the book signing of STYX band member Chuck Panozzo. Chuck brought the house down with his impromptu concert including “Come Sail Away” Styx’ top selling hit from their triple platinum album.
Location: Bistro 33, Sacramento CA
The Niello Audi 2008 TT Launch Party launch hosted in Sacramento was yet another opportunity for LEBLON to showcase our drink creativity. Once again, LEBLON was the center of attention with lines at the bar all night long as guests patiently waited for the cocktail feature of the night, “The TTINI”. In conjunction with Bistro 33, LEBLON cocktails were served to the upscale crowd creating a media “field day”. Channel CW31 Good Day Sacramento, Sactomagazine, and The Sacramento Bee were all on hand capturing photos of the guests sipping cocktails and viewing the 2008 Audi TT. A huge thank you to the bartenders at Bistro 33 for such an incredible job!
The night was the much anticipated launch of the hottest ultra premium brand to hit California, Leblon. Held at the Sunset Strip's newest venue, guests enjoyed the world's finest caipirinhas along with music and dancers from Leblon Beach in Brazil.
Location: San Diego CA
The Leblon Caipirinha bar dazzled at the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The sophisticated atmosphere and Dj-spun music, provided the perfect atmosphere for an afternoon cocktail. Guests like New England Patriot Junior Seau (ex-San Diego Charger), found the delectable strawberry caipirinha as refreshing as a dip in the club’s pool!
Location: Pelican Hotel Penthouse
The Pelican Hotel, owned by Diesel, was the perfect setting for LEBLON's Media Launch in Miami, Florida. Overlooking Ocean Drive the who's who of South Florida media were in attendance as Albert Trummer from David Bouley's Evolution created the Bar Chef Caipirinha upon the guests arrival. After the welcome drinks quickly disappeared four of the areas top barchefs served up unique cocktails ranging from the Brasiliano Caipirinha (Raffale Rizzello- The Pelican Hotel), the Zen Caipirinha with Ginger Crisp (Michael Kagdis- Cafe Boulud) to the Sunset Pearl Caipirinha with Coconut Foam (Elad Zvi - Social Miami). Among all of the cocktails served, secret media judges picked the Amarena Blackcherry Caipirinha served by newly opened Table 8's Manny Nieves as the winning cocktail. The LEBLON Caipirinha has arrived in Miami and it is here to stay.
Location: Miami
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association along with The New Times invited LEBLON to be help host their annual awards reception to kick-off the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. With honor, we not only excepted the invitation but also created a night to remember. Attended by the top restaurants and chefs of South Florida, LEBLON hosted a bartenders competition and who better to judge then the guests themselves.....Chef Allen's, Sushi Doraku, The Biltmore, Cafe Maxx, and town kitchen & bar competed to create the best tasting LEBLON Caipirinha. The competition was tough and the judging close. Cocktails made with ingredients such as banana brulee, yuzu, strawberry foam, to name a few, created a mix of edible and delicious cocktails. In the end, mixologist Adrian Najara from Sushi Doraku took home the winning prize. Make sure to check out Buddha's Caipirinha at his restaurant....QUICKLY!
Location: Paris, France
Kliente party, or should I say a warm up for Ibiza’s next summer. This event took place at the fancy and historic Maxim’s in Paris. LEBLON offered an open bar where people could taste a fresh and delicious caipirinha. And don't forget the LEBLON go-go boys who sashayed around the dance floor with caipi shots for the delight of all the guests.
Location: New Orleans
The LEBLON tour bus rolled into New Orleans ready to take on the world! In a world clearly 'Tired of Vodka,' LEBLON invited the Cheers Conference to come to LEBLON for Liberation. Everyone flocked to the LEBLON tour bus, tasting what a difference LIVE LOVE LEBLON makes.
Location: California
The night was the much anticipated launch of the hottest ultra premium brand to hit California, Leblon. Held at the Sunset Strip's newest venue, guests enjoyed the world's finest caipirinhas along with music and dancers from Leblon Beach in Brazil.
