A spirit to spook up cocktails this Hallowe'en

by Angela Johnson. Published Fri 30 Oct 2009 17:03, Last updated: 2009-10-30

Spook your friends using a spirit with a difference this Hallowe’en weekend - the Blood Red Inferno, with Sagatiba.

Sagatiba - a premium cane spirit (or cachaça) - is distilled from fresh sugar cane juice and bottled in Brasil.

The finished product is exceptionally pure, with unparalleled smoothness and a seductive taste which works well in a range of mixers, making an interesting alternative to other premium spirits.

Sagatiba offers two key variants to cater for all palettes - the classic Pura is incredibly versatile, a perfect base spirit - use it in refreshing long drinks and classic cocktails.

For a more full-bodied taste, Sagatiba Velha is an aged cachaça, produced in traditional pot stills and matured slowly in oak barrels for at least two years. A rich golden spirit with a distinct fruitiness, it can be enjoyed straight over ice, or in sophisticated cocktails which complement the more complex flavours and smooth sweetness.

Sagatiba is available nationwide at Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, House of Fraser, Waitrose, Oddbins and thedrinkshop.com.

Blood Red Inferno is a hot cocktail with a simple recipe and a taste set to vamp up your tastebuds...

All you need is:

35ml Sagatiba pura
70 ml apple and blackberry juice
Dash of cinnamon
Finger of fresh ginger
1 bar spoon honey
Cinnamon stick

Pour ingredients into saucepan and heat on low heat stirring occasionally. Do not allow mixture to come to the boil. Pour into an Irish Coffee glass and garnish with cinnamon stick.