also sold on the beach is mate, a strong tea served in small clay pots and drunk through a metal straw. though famous rivals, the slightly bitter taste of mate is one of the few things on which brazilians and argentinians can agree.

as one wanders away from the sand, any corner bar will serve a cerveja, a caldo de cana and an order of bolinhos de bacalhau. like in other warm countries, brazilian beers favor the crispness of a pilsner, and are served estupidamente gelada (stupidly cold), to best stave off the tropical heat.