Classic Brazilian Caipirinha
Discover the soul of Brazil in a glass with this Classic Brazilian Caipirinha. This refreshing cocktail is a simple yet vibrant blend of lime, sugar, and cachaça, delivering a sweet, tart, and boozy balance that’s perfect for warm evenings or festive gatherings. Serve it as an aperitif, pair it with grilled meats, or enjoy it solo as a zesty refresher.
Equipment
- Old-fashioned (lowball) glass
- Muddler (or the back of a spoon as an alternative)
- Small knife
- Measuring jigger or shot glass
- Bar spoon (optional, for stirring)
Ingredients
- 1 lime cut into 8 wedges
- 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar or raw cane sugar for authenticity
- 2 ounces 60 ml cachaça
- Crushed ice enough to fill the glass
Instructions
- Prepare the LimeWash the lime thoroughly, then cut it into 8 wedges.
- Muddle the Lime and SugarPlace the lime wedges in an old-fashioned glass. Add the sugar on top. Use a muddler (or the back of a spoon) to gently press the lime wedges to release the juice. Do not over-muddle—the oils from the rind should be released, not bitter pith.
- Add the Cachaça Pour 2 ounces of cachaça over the muddled lime and sugar.
- Fill with Crushed IceAdd enough crushed ice to fill the glass to the top.
- Stir and ServeStir well to combine and chill the drink evenly. Serve immediately with a short straw or simply sip straight from the glass.
Video
Notes
- Choose fresh limes with smooth, glossy skin for maximum juice.
- Use raw cane sugar (like demerara or turbinado) for a richer flavor and more traditional touch.
- Don’t skip the muddling step, but do it gently—too much pressure can make the drink bitter.
- No cachaça? You can substitute white rum, but it won’t be a true Caipirinha.
- Double or triple the recipe in a pitcher for easy party batching.