Caipirinha
Brazil's national cocktail with cachaça, lime and sugar.
Drink details
Glass
Old Fashioned Glass
Ice
Crushed
Method
Muddled
Strength
Strong
Servings
1
Recipe
Ingredients
Cachaça
60 ml
Lime Wedge
1 lime, cut into small wedges
8 pieces
Sugar
White cane
4 tsp
Rating
Rate this drink
Method
Preparation
- 1
Place the lime wedges and white cane sugar in an Old Fashioned glass and muddle gently.
- 2
Fill the glass with crushed ice and add the Cachaça.
- 3
Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
About the Caipirinha
The Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça, fresh lime and sugar. Unlike many rum-based drinks, cachaça is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice, giving it a distinctive grassy and fruity character. Lime wedges are muddled with sugar to release both juice and aromatic oils before the spirit and ice are added. The result is a vibrant cocktail with an assertive combination of citrus, sweetness and sugarcane character.
What does a Caipirinha taste like?
A Caipirinha tastes bright, tart and slightly sweet, with fresh lime and aromatic citrus oils playing against the grassy, fruity character of cachaça. The drink has a direct and rustic quality, with sweetness balancing both the citrus and the strength of the spirit.
Tips for making a Caipirinha
Muddle the lime wedges with the sugar firmly enough to release juice and aromatic oils, but avoid excessively crushing the peel, which can introduce too much bitterness. Use plenty of ice and stir thoroughly so the sugar, lime and cachaça are evenly distributed.
