If there’s anything that’s guaranteed to get me more excited than the launch of a new drink, it’s the accompanying invitation to spend an evening sampling said new drink’s cocktail-making versatility. So imagine my barely contained sense of smug delight when I’m invited to spend an evening  sampling cocktails based around a brand new citrus-flavoured Brazilian cachaça named Salto.

Launching in the UK this year, Salto constitutes a British twist on a classic Brazilian spirit. Cachaça is made from fermented sugarcane and usually clocks in at around 40%, but Salto aims to be light and refreshing, and as such is a very moderate 24% – this, combined with the zingy citric elements, makes Salto an ideal summer-time thirst-quencher.

Having said that though, there are two things worthy of mention. The first is that, as I write, the British summer seems to have all but capitulated to bully boy autumn. And the second is that, despite its light, zesty nature, I personally found it a little overwhelming when drunk neat, even with lots of ice.

But that, you’ll be delighted to know, is why we’re at Hush in Mayfair, where the bartender folk have come up with a selection of cocktails all based around Salto. There’s six in total, and I’m pretty certain we tried them all, but then these things can be tough to remember. My favourite I think is the Salto Emotion, designed by Guillaume – the goji liqueur, cassis and vanilla neatly cut through by Salto’s citrus energy. I also really like Boris’ Strawberry and Basil Caipirinha, Jorge’s Exotic Lemon and Slavko’s Brazil Daiquiri – given that it consists simply of Salto, fresh lime juice and gomme syrup, I reckon even I could make that. A cocktail-making afternoon in the Spoonfed garden is beckoning…

www.saltobrazil.com