Cocktail Recipes: The Classic Caju Amigo

The Caju Amigo cocktail is a cocktail heavily inspired by Brazilian culture. Also known as "Friendly Cashew", this amazingly versatile drink consists of two individual parts of Cachaca liqueur and cashew juice. Although, the drink calls for cashew juice as one of it's primary ingredients, cashew juice is not required. In fact, some individuals who enjoy the Caju Amigo, like to chew on cashews, which are said to achieve close to the same, tart-like effect, as the cashew juice itself.

The Caju Amigo is traditionally served in a shot glass. There is no need to chill the glass, as the shot is usually created and served at warm temperature. There is also no solids nor liquids involved in the creation of this shot, so the Caju Amigo calls for absolutely no water nor ice added to this radically simple, yet interesting drink.

The Caju Amigo has a long history behind it's Brazilian influence and acquired, yet fluent taste. However; when look at the Caju Amigo prepared, the final result may resemble a very rich orange juice, with a yellowish color. If you are not one who appreciates cashews (let alone any nutty flavor), combined with a molasses inspired rum liqueur, you are definitely not going to want to drink the Caju Amigo. The flavor is unlike orange juice, as it's rather rich, nutty, yet salty and sweet with an acquired taste and ethnic essence, as opposed to the sweet organics of orange juice.

What makes this drink so amazing? I have decided to create my own version of this simple, unique Brazilian inspired cocktail shot.

The Classic Caju Amigo

1 oz. Cachaca Liqueur
1 oz. Cashew Juice
1 oz. Tofu (blended)
1 tbsp Grenadine

Before combining the ingredients, you wanna prepare everything individually in equal parts. You want to begin by blending the tofu until the tofu is liquid. You can do this by using a simple stand-alone blender. After you have blended the tofu, check for clumps and lumps. If there are any, continue blending until the tofu is pure liquid.

This shot is best prepared by simply adding the ingredients to the shot glass and giving a little mix. As you continue, you want to combine the Cachca liqueur, cashew juice, tofu, and Grenadine together. After you have combine the ingredients together, you want to serve the Classic Caju Amigo, in a shot glass.