Wesley, I think aguardiente is the broad term for South American rum made from sugarcane syrup, vs.molasses. I think the Brazilian versian is called Cachaca, & that's the main ingredient in a Caiparinha (sp?). -Cut a lime (esp.key lime) into quarters or eighths -Muddle in an old-fashioned glass with sugar...a tablespoon or two if I remember -Fill glass with ice & a shot or two of Cachaca & mix well Goes great with tapas, especially grilled seafood or meat. After a couple of these I didn't even blink when told I was eating the Peruvian national specialty of grilled/skewered beef heart! "Mmmm...a little gamy." Joan > Hello, > > I have been lurking for a few weeks and I thought Tara's question seemed as > good a time as any to jump in. > > Aguardiente (agua = water in Spanish) is a very popular, or at least often > consumed, alcoholic beverage all over Central America. I believe it is a > kind of sugar cane liquor, sort of a low quality and super high alcohol > content version of white rum. It's usually consumed warm with coca cola > and a squeeze of key lime. I suspect people would rather have it with some > ice, but there just weren't refrigerators or even electricity in most of > the places I drank these poor man's Cuba Libres. They go great with the > fruity habanero sauces found all over the Caribbean coast of Central > America although they certainly don't cut the heat, just make you care > about it a little less. > > I wouldn't be surprised if every language had an equivalent for 'firewater.' > > yours, > > Wesley > >