The classic caipirinha is the cornerstone of Brazilian cocktails. This refreshing three-ingredient drink is ideal for a warm summer afternoon with amigos and familia. It’s bright, simple and pairs beautifully with churrasco and other grilled dishes. Your summer BBQ festas will be elevated. – recipe makes 2 servings.
About this Brazilian cocktail
Oi, gente!
In Brazil, caipirinhas are woven into social life and tradition. Most Brazilians know how to make one or at least know the ingredients. In my family, we enjoy caipirinhas at home during weekend churrascos or a Sunday feijoada. I learned the basics from my brothers, and later my sister-in-law Simone showed me a tweak that makes hers stand out.
Our family twist is simple: we use extra fresh lime juice in addition to muddled lime pieces. While many recipes only instruct you to muddle limes and sugar, adding a splash more lime juice brightens the drink and lifts it from good to great without changing its classic character. It’s a small secret that makes all the difference.
Saúde!
What is caipirinha
Caipirinha (pronounced kai-pee-reen-ya) is Brazil’s national cocktail. It is made from limes, sugar, ice and cachaça, a distilled spirit produced from fresh sugarcane juice. The combination is simple, bold and distinctly Brazilian.
Historically, a similar drink emerged in the early 20th century when strong local spirits were mixed with lemon, honey and garlic as a home remedy for colds. In Brazil, cachaça replaced other spirits, sugar replaced honey because of abundant sugarcane, and the remedy evolved into a popular social cocktail. The name likely stems from the word caipira (country person), with caipirinha being the diminutive form.
Caipirinha ingredients
There are many fruit and flavor variations today, but the classic caipirinha uses just four ingredients:
- Limes
- Sugar
- Cachaça
- Ice
It’s an adult treat that’s quick to learn and easy to master. Follow the steps below for a reliable result.
How to Make Caipirinha
– recipe makes 2 servings
- Juice 3 limes
You want roughly 1/3 cup of fresh lime juice. This extra juice is the key to a brighter caipirinha.
- Cut the other 2 limes into 8 pieces each
These are the pieces you’ll muddle with sugar.
- Place the cut limes and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a cup and muddle
Muddle until the lime pieces release their oils and combine with the sugar.
- Add the fresh lime juice and 3/4 cup of cachaça, then stir gently
Stir for about 2 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Fill two glasses with ice and divide the caipirinha between them
Garnish with a lime wedge if desired. Saúde!
Caipirinha FAQ
Cachaça is a Brazilian distilled spirit made from fermenting fresh sugarcane juice. It has a distinct grassy, vegetal character compared with other sugarcane spirits.
Cachaça is related to rum, as both come from sugarcane, but cachaça is typically made from raw sugarcane juice while many rums are produced from molasses or other byproducts.
Cachaça is widely available at liquor stores, some grocery stores and online retailers. Brazilian markets usually carry several options.
There are many quality brands, ranging from artisanal to mass-produced. Leblon is a popular choice for cocktails and works well in this recipe; traditional Brazilian brands like Ypióca are widely known and respected.
This cocktail goes great with these summer recipes:
- Picanha – Brazilian Culotte Steaks
- Cilantro Garlic Bread
- Grilled Butterflied Chicken
- Brazilian Potato Salad
- Brazilian Salsa
- Grilled Wings with Cilantro Chimichurri
Other drinks recipes:
- Strawberry Caipirinha Pitcher
- Caipirinha de Maracujá – Passion Fruit Caipirinha
- Brazilian Hot Chocolate
- Batida de Coco – Brazilian Coconut Cocktail
- Macunaíma Drink
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How to Make Caipirinha
Aline Shaw
Ingredients
- 5 whole limes
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 3/4 cup cachaça
- Ice, to taste
Equipment
- Cocktail muddler
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Instructions
- Juice 3 of the limes and set aside — you want about 1/3 cup of juice.
- Cut the remaining 2 limes into 8 pieces each.
- Add the lime pieces and sugar to a cup and muddle until the pieces release their juice and combine with the sugar.
- Stir in the fresh lime juice and cachaça until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.
- Fill two glasses with ice and divide the caipirinha between them. Saúde!
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 320 kcal
Carbohydrates: 19 g
Protein: 0.02 g
Fat: 0.1 g
Sugar: 19 g
Let me know how it was!