The caipirinha cocktail is the national drink of Brazil. And I guarantee you will want to put this 3-ingredient recipe on repeat all summer long!
Bright, sweet, and citrusy, it’s the definition of refreshing. Plus, it is the easiest thing in the world to make.
The caipirinha is all the rage in Brazil. It takes only one sip to see what the fuss is all about.
The burst of lime, hint of sugar, and sugarcane spirit meld together harmoniously. It’s a downright thirst-quenching drink.
So, embrace the cultural traditions of Brazil with this caipirinha recipe.
What Is Caipirinha?
Caipirinha (pronounced kai-pee-ree-nyah) is a Brazilian favorite. In fact, most people consider it to be their national cocktail!
It features cachaça with muddled lime and sugar served on the rocks.
If you’re new to the caipirinha, cachaça probably needs an explanation. It’s a type of spirit distilled from sugarcane juice.
Funny enough, it is also Brazil’s national spirit.
Some think of it as a type of rum, but it’s not the same. Cachaça is less sweet with a vegetal and fruity taste.
Add lime and sugar to the mix, and you have one thirst-quenching libation!
Ingredients
Talk about a minimalist cocktail! For a classic caipirinha, all you need are three ingredients and some ice.
Here is the rundown:
- Lime- Use the freshest, ripest limes you can find. Persian or key limes will have the best flavor.
- Sugar- Superfine sugar is the secret. It draws out the oils from the lime, making it a brighter drink.
- Ice- A handful of ice cubes for serving will keep the drink chilled. Crushed ice works, too.
- Cachaça- The heart of this drink! Both white and aged are great. Look for either at a well-stocked liquor store.
- BevMo or Total Wine & More are great places to start.
How to Make a Caipirinha
You do not have to be a professional bartender to make this drink. You don’t even need to know much about cocktail mixing.
All you need are these easy steps:
1. Prepare the lime.
Cut the lime into small wedges and add it to a rock glass. Sprinkle sugar over the top of the wedges.
2. Muddle the lime and sugar.
Muddle the lime and sugar with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Do this just until you see the juices released.
3. Add ice and cachaça.
Fill the glass with ice cubes. Pour the cachaça and stir well.
4. Serve and sip.
Serve the cocktail, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Caipirinha Cocktail
If you want the most refreshing caipirinha ever, follow these tips:
- Sugar is a must. Do not swap superfine sugar for simple syrup. The granules help extract the aromatic oils from the lime peels. This ensures a rich lime flavor.
- Try this DIY trick for superfine sugar! Only have regular granulated sugar on hand? No problem- give it a quick blitz in the blender. It will help to make it finer.
- Choose your cachaca wisely. A traditional caipirinha uses a slightly aged, clear cachaça for its grassy notes. For a softer touch, try a longer-aged, darker cachaça with a milder bite.
- Muddle it the right way. Press the limes to release the juice, but avoid mashing them. The goal is to get the juice out while also dissolving the sugar.
- Chill the glass. Before serving, chill the glass in the freezer. A frosty glass keeps the drink cooler and more refreshing. Especially on a hot day!
Variations
If you want more variations, try any of these:
- Tweak the classic: Want to make it according to the International Bar Association? They use 2 ounces of cachaça, a whole lime, and 4 teaspoons of white cane sugar. So, add more lime and sugar to my recipe to match this recommendation.
- Try caipirinha popsicles. These are super refreshing in the dead heat of summer. Just dissolve all the ingredients with water. Then, add it to an ice mold and freeze.
- Swap the cachaça for rum. Can’t find cachaça? Try it with rum instead. The flavor is a little different but very delicious.
- Love margaritas? Make it a Caipirita. Just use cachaça instead of tequila.
- Turn it into a Caipimojito. Make a mint mojito with cachaça instead of rum.
- Add other fruits to the mix. Want to make it fruiter? Muddle a fruit of your choice with the lime and sugar. Strawberries are delicious!
- And so is this passion fruit caipirinha.
Caipirinha Cocktail Recipe- A Brazilian Drink
1
servingThis Caipirinha cocktail recipe will transport your taste buds to the beaches of Brazil. It comes together with lime, sugar, and cachaca. All you need is ice!
Ingredients
1/2 lime
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
Ice
2 ounces cachaça
Instructions
- Cut the lime into small wedges and place them in a rocks glass. Sprinkle sugar over the wedges.
- Muddle the lime and sugar with a muddler or the back of a spoon until the juice is released.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes. Pour the cachaça and stir well.
- Serve and enjoy!
