Caipirinha (pronounced kai-purr-REEN-yah) is about to become a new favorite cocktail once you try it! The national drink in Brazil, this refreshing cocktail is incredibly simple to make, delicious, and unlike any other drink you have had! An authentic Caipirinha recipe from a native Brazilian, this cocktail recipe is as close as you can get to the real deal!
Cachaça
Caipirinha is a popular drink in Brazil, often served in bars or on beaches alongside Brazilian cheese bread balls or “pão de queijo”. The magic ingredient that makes this drink so famous in Brazil is cachaça (kah-SHAH-sa), a white rum made from sugar cane.
If you’re having trouble finding cachaça at your local liquor store, don’t worry! You can easily order it online or bring some back from Brazil if you have the opportunity. I recently ordered a couple of bottles of this brand of cachaça to try, and it tasted great. The best part? It shipped all the way to Montana!
I strongly recommend trying this drink with cachaça, as it gives the drink its unique flavor and distinguishes it from any other cocktail you have tasted. However, you can also use vodka to make the drink, in which case it is called a Caipivodka.
The traditional version uses limes, but people often make variations of this drink, such as using strawberries (Morango), kiwi, or passion fruit (Maracuja).
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Ingredients for this recipe:
- 1 Lime
- 1 Tablespoon of granulated sugar
- Water
- 1 shot of cachaça
What you need for this recipe:
Directions:
Step 1: Cut a lime in half
To make a Caipirinha, start by cutting a lime in half lengthwise. This will help release the juice and flavors of the lime into the drink.
Step 2: Remove the white part of the limes
Then, using a sharp knife, cut a small triangle out of the middle of the lime to remove the white part. This part of the lime can be bitter and detract from the taste of the drink, so it’s important to remove it to ensure a delicious Caipirinha.
Step 3: Cut the lime slices in half again
After removing the white part, you should be left with four lime slices. Cut each slice in half again so that you end up with eight pieces of lime in total. These smaller pieces will be easier to muddle and release more juice and flavor into the drink.
Step 4: Prepare your cocktail glass
Next, choose a short cocktail glass and add the eight pieces of lime to it, with the peel facing down. This will allow the juice from the lime to be released more easily when muddling, resulting in a more flavorful Caipirinha.
Step 5: Add sugar
Then add one generous tablespoon of granulated sugar to the glass on top of the lime pieces. Spread the sugar evenly around the pieces to ensure that it is evenly distributed throughout the drink. The sugar will help to balance the tartness of the lime and enhance the overall flavor of the Caipirinha.
Step 6: Muddle the limes
Ensure that the lime pieces are still with the peel facing down. Take a drink muddler tool and gently press down on all the pieces, squeezing the lime juice out. Use a twisting motion to gently crush the lime pieces and release the oils from the peel, being careful not to over-muddle and break the peel. This will help to infuse the lime flavor into the drink and release the aromas of the peel.
Step 7: Add cachaça
Now it’s time to add the star ingredient! Pour one shot of cachaça over the limes in the glass. Be sure to pour it evenly over the sugar and lime pieces.
Step 8: Add ice
Next, fill your short, wide-rimmed glass with about 10 ice cubes.
Step 9: Add water
Finally, fill the glass with enough cold water to cover the ice and the lime mixture.
Step 10: Stir and enjoy!
Using a metal cocktail straw, give your drink a final gentle stir to ensure all ingredients are well mixed. For the perfect height, I recommend either this cocktail straw or this one! Both options work well with any cocktail drink. Then serve and enjoy your refreshing Brazilian strawberry Caipirinha cocktail!
If you like trying new recipes, make sure to check out this traditional recipe for Brazilian beans! Paired with Brazilian cheese bread and Matte ice tea, they make the perfect healthy meal!
Equipment
- drink muddler
Ingredients
- 1 lime cut
- 1 Tbs granulated white sugar
- 1 shot cachaça
- 10 ice cubs
- water to taste
Instructions
- Cut lime in half: Start by cutting a lime in half lengthwise.
- Remove the white part of the lime: Then, using a sharp knife, cut a small triangle out of the middle of the lime to remove the white part.
- Cut the lime slices in half again: After removing the white part, you should be left with four lime slices. Cut each slice in half again so that you end up with eight pieces of lime in total.
- Prepare your cocktail glass: Next, choose a short cocktail glass and add the eight pieces of lime to it, with the peel facing down.
- Add sugar: Then add one generous Tablespoon of granulated sugar to the glass on top of the lime pieces. Spread the sugar evenly around the pieces to ensure that it is evenly distributed throughout the drink.
- Muddle the limes: Ensure that the lime pieces are still with the peel facing down. Take a drink muddler tool and gently press down on all the pieces, squeezing the lime juice out. Use a twisting motion to gently crush the lime pieces and release the oils from the peel, being careful not to over-muddle and break the peel.
- Add cachaça: Pour one shot of cachaça over the limes in the glass. Be sure to pour it evenly over the sugar and lime pieces.
- Add ice: Next, fill your short, wide-rimmed glass with about 10 ice cubes.
- Add water: Finally, fill the glass with enough cold water to cover the ice and the lime mixture.
- Stir and enjoy: Using a metal cocktail straw, give your drink a final gentle stir to ensure all ingredients are well mixed. Then serve and enjoy your refreshing Brazilian caipirinha cocktail!
I hope that you thoroughly enjoy this refreshing Brazilian caipirinha cocktail as much as we do. Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts with me by leaving a comment below. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Make sure to check out a few of my favorite recipes below!
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XO,
Morgan
