Calavera
[my restaurant review](https://thegourmez.com/blog/2012-06-20-calavera-raleigh/
Downtown Raleigh, NC
$8
[
]
First things first: the rum-soaked sugar cane. It is both visually pleasing and an essential garnish for this cocktail. Caipirinhas are a favorite in my cocktail repertoire, so I am always happy to try a new one, and having one from Calavera’s impressive bar just made sense although tequila is their primary focus. This one is made with Brazilian Clear cachaça, lime juice, and sugar ... and that’s it folks. That’s all a cachaça should be.
This one is possibly too sweet, which may come from my insistence on sucking every drop of sugar water from that cane that I can. I would almost recommend that Calavera leave out the sugar from the preparation entirely, depending on the cane instead, but I would bet that would be too strong for your average swizzler. Regardless, this was a drink loyal to its origins and delicious.
[
]
Reviewed 29 Nov 12.
Most of my posts on nightlife feature a specific cocktail that I’ve enjoyed rather than focusing on the atmosphere of the bar, club, or wine bar that I’m patronizing. Largely, that’s because I care more about what’s in my glass than I do what’s playing on the speakers. However, I am far more likely to enjoy neighborhood dive bars and wine bars than I am a club or anywhere with loud music. I’ll still give the latter a try, and if the beverages are inventive and fun, I’ll be back no matter the soundtrack!