Discovering the caipirinha.

• Author: Soares, Jo
• Position: LATITUDES

It was all recorded by the Brazilian writer Jo Soares. Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson visited Brazil in 1886. He had been invited by Emperor Pedro II, at the suggestion of Sarah Bernhardt, who was in Rio de Janeiro in the midst of her grand tour of Latin America. A precious Stradivarius violin had been stolen from the boudoir of one of emperor's mistresses and Holmes was summoned to solve the mystery. By the time he arrived, Rio was beset by a serial killer. His deductive powers did not lead him to find the killer; he was much befuddled by the tropical voluptuousness of Rio de Janeiro during the Belle Epoque. He did, however, discover other things.

"If you'll permit me, Mr. Holmes, the best medicine for this morning-after sensation is a good dose of cachaca."

"Cachaca? What the devil is that?"

"It's a type of rum made from sugarcane. A very smooth drink, delicious. One dose will be enough for your complete recovery. In fact, I'll go with you. I'm feeling a bit poorly myself this morning."

"Saraiva, I don't know if it's a good idea to give Holmes cachaca at this hour, injected Mello Pimenta.

"Nonsense, my dear Mello Pimenta. I'm sure this venerable remedy will make our English friend into a new man," the doctor assured him.

The four men went to a bar at the corner of Riachuelo Street. Saraiva, with his enviable alcoholic experience, ordered two servings of the best rum in the house and downed the contents of his glass in a single swallow. When Dr. Watson saw the transparent liquid, which gave off a very strong smell of alcohol, he inquired what the drink was.

"Nothing to worry about, Watson, just a rum made from sugarcane. Professor Saraiva assures me that it has excellent curative properties," translated Holmes for his friend.

"I don't know, Holmes. From the smell, it looks to me like something quite strong. Maybe it'd be better not to drink it neat," he advised.

"What should I do then--add some water?"

"I think some fruit juice would be better. Orange or lime. They're excellent specifics. We even know of their undisputed properties in combating scurvy."

Sherlock turned to the owner of the bar.

"My friend here is suggesting that I put a bit of orange juice or lime in the drink. Have you by any chance got either of these fruits?"

"I have limes,"...