Caipirinha Recipe
Brazil's traditional cocktail. This refreshing cocktail is made with fresh muddled limes, sugar and cachaca. Served on the rocks and available in various flavors.
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Ingredients
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Classic Caipirinha
Optional flavored variations
Method
Classic Caipirinha
Prepare the glass and lime
Cut the lime in half lengthwise, then cut one half into 4 wedges. Reserve the other half for another cocktail or garnish. Place the 4 lime wedges into a sturdy old-fashioned (rocks) glass.
Add sugar
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar evenly over the lime wedges in the glass. The sugar helps macerate the lime and balance bitterness.
Muddle
Using a muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon), press firmly on the lime wedges and twist 8–12 times to release oils from the peel and juice from the flesh. Aim to bruise the lime and dissolve some sugar but avoid pulverizing the peel into tiny bits.
Optional flavored variations
Strawberry Caipirinha
Before adding lime and sugar, place 3 hulled, sliced strawberries in the glass. Muddle the strawberries once or twice to break them down, then add the lime wedges and 1½–2 tsp sugar. Muddle again to combine fruit and lime. Proceed with cachaça, ice, stirring and garnish.
Passion Fruit Caipirinha
Add 2 tablespoons fresh passion fruit pulp to the glass with lime wedges and 2 tsp sugar. Muddle gently to combine pulp and lime. Add cachaça, crushed ice, stir and garnish. Taste and add a splash (½ oz) of simple syrup if you prefer sweeter.
Minty Twist
Tuck 6 fresh mint leaves into the glass with lime wedges and sugar. Gently muddle once or twice—do not over-muddle so the mint does not become bitter. Continue with cachaça, ice, stir, and garnish with a mint sprig.
Using simple syrup
If substituting simple syrup, add ½ ounce to the glass instead of 2 tsp sugar. Muddle limes gently just to release juice (no need to dissolve sugar), then add cachaça and ice, stir and garnish.