Cachaça is a sugar cane distillate, which is similar to white rum. However, it is not made of molasses but from the juice of unrefined sugar cane of which only the first pressings are used. A maturing process of several weeks in wooden vats allows the flavour to unfold completely, making the taste of Cachaça Pitú lighter and smoother than that of many types of rum. It is subsequently an ideal base for cocktails. Cachaça is considered a national drink amongst Brazilians who consume an astonishing two billion litres a year. It is the basis of the Caipirinha (pronounced Kaay-peer-REEN-ya), which became one of the worlds most popular cocktails towards the end of the millennium leading to a world Cachaça shortage. The spirit has been in huge demand in Australia for some time with many bars using White Rum as an inferior substitute.