From chic Sao Paulo bars to Rio de Janeiro's beaches, Brazilians are on edge after a wave of suspected poisonings from tainted liquor has left people dead, blind, or in a coma.

One person has been confirmed dead due to methanol poisoning, with another 11 deaths under investigation, the health ministry said Friday.

In total, 11 poisonings have been confirmed and 102 are suspected, most of them in Sao Paulo, and cases were reported in four other states and the capital Brasilia.

Local media report that victims have ended up in a coma or gone blind after consuming cocktails at upscale bars and restaurants.

The scare has fueled nationwide angst as many people avoid gin, vodka and cachaça — the base of Brazil's beloved caipirinha.

"I'm definitely not going out to drink this weekend. Things

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