On a recent Friday evening in São Paulo, one of Brazil’s most iconic cocktails—the caipirinha—was nowhere to be found on the tables of a bustling bar near Paulista Avenue. Instead, patrons clinked glasses filled with beer and wine, a telling sign of the anxiety gripping the country in the wake of a methanol poisoning outbreak that has left one person dead and dozens hospitalized. For Edilson Trindade, the bar’s manager since 2018, the shift was unprecedented. "Clients have been worried, and we’re advising them it’s better not to drink cocktails," Trindade told reporters, noting his establishment typically sells around 80 caipirinhas per night. Last week, that number plummeted to zero.
The sudden aversion to Brazil’s beloved mixed drinks stems from a wave of methanol-tainted alcohol incidents, which have triggered nationwide panic, police investigations, and a dramatic change in drinking habits. The Health Ministry confirmed 11 methanol poisoning cases as of October 4, 2025, with 127 suspected cases under review across at least five states and the capital, Brasília. One death has been confirmed through laboratory tests in São Paulo, while eleven others remain under investigation. Victims have included patrons at upscale bars and restaurants, some of whom lost their sight or fell into comas after sipping clear cocktails like caipirinhas and vodka tonics, according to the Associated Press.
For many Brazilians, the risks have become all too real. Jessica Ávila, a 34-year-old cultural producer, described the atmosphere at Trindade’s bar as tense, even as she tried to relax with friends. “With all these cases that keep coming up and more deaths being reported each day, it’s alarming. I’ve even seen well-known people being hospitalized,” Ávila said. “Right now, I can’t bring myself to drink any distilled spirits unless I have some assurance they’re not counterfeit. I’m sticking to beer.”
The Health Ministry has responded with urgency. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha has repeatedly urged Brazilians to avoid distilled drinks, especially colorless spirits, which are more difficult to verify for authenticity. "As a physician and health minister, I advise everyone to avoid distilled products, especially colorless ones, unless you’re certain of their origin," Padilha said. "These are not essential items." The government has also announced emergency purchases of 2,500 doses of fomepizole, an antidote for methanol poisoning, and 12,000 ampoules of medical-grade ethanol, with shipments already underway to five states. Padilha emphasized that the new stockpile would ensure "no patient goes without treatment" and that both antidotes could be administered even before lab confirmation.
The panic has extended far beyond São Paulo. In Rio de Janeiro, beach kiosks and restaurants have posted warnings on social media, hoping to reassure nervous tourists as Brazil’s peak travel season approaches. Thais Flores, a 28-year-old dental surgeon visiting Rio from São Paulo, shared her own change in habits: "I don’t really like beer, but because of the latest news, it’s been my drink of choice." Her friend, Raquel Marques, admitted to taking a calculated risk with a vodka caipirinha. "I’m scared, but we took a chance," she said. "The guy said he bought it at the market."
Restaurants and bars nationwide are feeling the impact. Nikolaos Loukopoulos, who runs a Greek restaurant in São Paulo, described a sharp decline in liquor sales. "Last night no one bought drinks … even I don’t want to drink," he said. "With a beer, we’re fine in this heat. Why risk it?" The trend is mirrored in countless establishments, with many suspending sales of distilled spirits and offering non-alcoholic or beer-based alternatives instead.
The crisis has also drawn attention to Brazil’s thriving illicit alcohol market. The Brazilian Association of Distilled Beverages reports that adulterated beverages now account for 28% of the country’s market, often sold at prices 35% lower than legitimate products. According to Artur Dian, chief of São Paulo police, "We have determined that methanol contaminated counterfeit alcoholic beverages. So we need to understand how." Police are investigating whether the contamination was intentional or accidental, but one thing is clear: counterfeiters frequently mix spirits with other substances, including methanol, to increase volume and profit. Another possibility is that bottles were contaminated with the toxic substance during refilling or repackaging. "While we know that small amounts do not contaminate and are not capable of causing health damage, we don’t know the exact amount that might remain in a bottle," Dian added.
Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is an industrial chemical used in fuel, antifreeze, and solvents. Unlike ethanol—the type of alcohol found in spirits—methanol is highly toxic to humans. Symptoms of methanol poisoning can range from headaches, dizziness, and nausea to blurred vision, seizures, and even coma. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that methanol poisoning requires immediate medical attention, as even small amounts can cause permanent nerve or liver damage, blindness, or death.
Federal police are probing possible links to organized crime groups accused of distributing counterfeit liquor. As the investigation widens, the government is racing to prevent further casualties. According to the Health Ministry, most cases remain concentrated in São Paulo, but reports have surfaced as far as Pernambuco and Mato Grosso do Sul. The ministry’s rapid response, including the distribution of antidotes and coordination with hospitals, aims to ensure that "no patient goes without treatment."
The scare has already cast a shadow over Brazil’s famed nightlife and tourism industry. From São Paulo’s chic bars to Rio’s sun-drenched beaches, the fear of tainted liquor is palpable. Rafael Martinez, a 30-year-old architect in São Paulo, summed up the prevailing mood: "I’m definitely not going out to drink this weekend. Things are worrying. For now, I’d rather stick to soda or, at most, beer, which they said is harder to tamper with."
Among the most high-profile victims is rapper Hungria, who was hospitalized in Brasília after possibly consuming altered alcohol. On October 3, 2025, he posted on Instagram that he was feeling better and would soon be discharged. "Friday has a different energy. If you feel thirsty, find a safe place to have a drink," he advised his followers.
The coming weeks will be crucial as authorities race to trace the source of the contamination, crack down on counterfeiters, and restore public confidence. For now, with the specter of methanol poisoning looming, Brazil’s cocktail culture is in retreat—replaced by a newfound caution and a preference for the simple safety of beer.
