Charanda

Charanda is a centuries-old sugarcane spirit hailing from Michoacán. It is traditionally double-distilled from fermented sugarcane. Sometimes, it may include fresh sugarcane juice or molasses, and some examples can undergo wood-aging.

Although it is often classified as rum, this clear spirit has a distinctive, terroir-driven character dominated by herbaceous notes. In 2003, it was officially protected, and it can only be made in 16 municipalities in the Mexican state of Michoacán.

Traditionally, it is served neat, as a sipping drink, but its complex character may also work well in cocktails and mixed drinks. It is presumed that charanda first appeared in the early 1700s, while its name stems from the local Purépecha language, meaning red soil.