Rio's juice shops are an important part of the city’s daily life. Balada Sumos, in Ipanema, is one of the most traditional juice shops – it opened in 1973.
Fresh fruit is used for most of the vast juice and smoothie menu. In the drinks that take northern and northeastern fruit such as açaí, cacau, and cupuaçu, frozen pulp is used.
As in most juice shops in Rio, prices range from about R$ 3,50 to R$ 5,50 (about $2-$3.50 at the time of this writing) for a 300ml-glass. The shop sells from favorite Brazilian combinations such as orange/papaya to some more unusual options, such as chlorophyll juice.
Açaí is served in a glass (about $ 2.50) or in a bowl (about $4.50). The fruit is not highly caloric and it's got no stimulants, but that will change if it's mixed with honey and guaraná. Order it pure, with no sugar or honey (<i>puro, sem açúcar e sem mel</i>) if you want it to be low-cal.
All the incoming water at Balada, even the water you used to wash your hands, is filtered. You can see the filtering tubes on the back wall to the right.
Ipanema
Daily 12p -12a.
