Discovering Grogue

Grogue is much more than an alcoholic drink: it is a genuine part of Cape Verdean identity. Traditionally distilled from sugar cane grown on the islands, this local rum has accompanied everyday life and celebrations for centuries.

The history of grogue dates back to the colonial period, when the Portuguese introduced sugar-cane cultivation to Cape Verde. The islanders soon developed their own distinctive know-how: each island, valley and family created its own way of producing and refining the spirit, resulting in different aromas and characters. It is often said that tasting a grogue is a way of discovering the identity of an island.

Traditional distilleries, often small trapiches (traditional mills), still keep this ancestral process alive. Freshly cut sugar cane is pressed, then the juice is fermented and distilled in copper stills. The result is an authentic, powerful and aromatic spirit that tells the story of a people and their land.

At Casa Cesaria, we invite you on a sensory journey through our grogue tasting boards. Each tasting is a stop along the way: from Santo Antão to Fogo, from Santiago to São Nicolau, you can discover the subtleties of each island, each with its own atmosphere and personality.

Create your own grogue tasting board — a perfect moment to enjoy after a day of adventure in Boa Vista. Choose 4 different grogues (4 cl each) from our island selection: young, aged, honey-infused, flavoured and, for the most adventurous, the famous aphrodisiac grogue “Chouchou”, reserved exclusively for men and popular within the African community.

Try your hand as an island mixologist — sensations guaranteed!