Quentão (Brazilian Hot Spiced Cachaça)
In short: A hot drink of caramelized sugar, fresh ginger, cinnamon and cloves with cachaça and apple, served in small mugs at winter festivals. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 170 kcal
Quentão, meaning big hot one, is the drink of the June festas juninas in Brazil, which fall in the cool season. Sugar is caramelized, then simmered with fresh ginger, cinnamon and cloves, and cachaça is added at the end. It is served steaming in small mugs next to corn cake, peanut brittle and bonfires. A little goes a long way, so pour it in small servings.
Instructions
- Melt the sugar in a dry saucepan over medium heat, swirling but not stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes, until it turns golden amber.
- Standing back because it will spit, pour in the water. Add the ginger, cinnamon, cloves and lime peel and stir until the caramel dissolves.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, until fragrant and slightly reduced. Add the apple slices for the last 5 minutes.
- Strain out the spices, keeping the apple slices. Return the liquid to the pan and stir in the cachaça.
- Warm over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until steaming but not boiling. Serve hot in small mugs with a few apple slices.
Tips
- Do not let the drink boil after adding the cachaça. Boiling drives off the alcohol and the aroma.
- For a non-alcoholic version, stir in 200 ml (3/4 cup) of unsweetened apple juice instead of the cachaça and warm it through.
Questions and answers
When is quentão served?
Mostly during the festas juninas of June, especially in southern and southeastern Brazil. It is served with corn dishes, peanut sweets and bonfire snacks.
Can I make quentão ahead of time?
Yes. Make the spiced syrup up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Add the cachaça and reheat gently just before serving.
What can I use instead of cachaça?
White or dark rum works well, and so does brandy. Vodka is neutral and lets the spices come forward.
How long does it take to make Quentão (Brazilian Hot Spiced Cachaça)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Quentão (Brazilian Hot Spiced Cachaça)?
About 170 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 170 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 27 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
