Caipirinha
Brazil's national cocktail, the Caipirinha is a potent and refreshing mix of cachaça (Brazilian sugarcane spirit), fresh lime, and sugar, muddled and served over ice.
Muddle lime and sugar
Place 1 whole lime, cut into 4-6 wedges, into a sturdy old fashioned glass (or rocks glass). Add 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar.
💡 Tips:
- •Use fresh, ripe limes for the most juice and aroma.
Muddle thoroughly
Using a muddler, firmly press and twist the lime wedges with the sugar. The goal is to extract as much juice as possible from the lime and dissolve the sugar, but avoid pulverizing the peel too much, which can release bitterness.
💡 Tips:
- •A good muddle is essential for balancing the flavors.
Add cachaça and ice
Pour 2 ounces (60 ml) cachaça into the glass. Fill the glass almost to the top with 1 serving of crushed ice.
💡 Tips:
- •Crushed ice works best as it chills the drink quickly and incorporates well.
Stir and serve
Stir gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the cachaça is distributed and the drink is well-chilled. Serve immediately.
💡 Tips:
- •Stir just enough to mix; over-stirring can dilute it too much.
- 💡The type of cachaça matters; aged cachaça offers a smoother, more complex flavor, while unaged (prata) is brighter.
- 💡Adjust sugar to your preference and the tartness of the lime.
- 💡Experiment with other fruits like passion fruit, strawberry, or pineapple for a 'Caipifruta'.
- 💡For a classic version, always use granulated sugar, not simple syrup, as the abrasive nature of the sugar helps extract lime oils during muddling.
You Might Also Like
Discover more delicious drinks similar to what you're viewing
