Traditional Caipirinha

Traditional Caipirinha

Have you heard of cachaça, the sugar cane hard liquor used in my new favorite cocktail, Caipirinha (pronounced kie-purr-een-ya)? Cachaça is similar to rum, but it’s different – the flavor is distinct and strong. And delicious.

caipirinha pinnable

The traditional caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail – and for good reason, it’s easy to make and, I may have mentioned this – it’s delicious. Think of a margarita but not as sweet or syrup-y. There’s nothing artificial in this cocktail and with warmer weather on the horizon this just might become your favorite summer cocktail, too.

Ingredients for a single drink:
1 lime, quartered
2t sugar (your favorite kind – granulated, coarse, raw)
2 oz cachaça

Put 2 lime pieces in a small rocks glass
Pour sugar over limes
Muddle (smash) the limes to extract juice
Fill glass with ice
Pour cachaça over ice
Stir to dissolve most of the sugar
Add more lime or sugar to taste (if needed)

Ingredients to make a batch:
1c sugar
1c water
12-15 limes, halved
1 750ml cachaça

First make simple syrup:
Put the sugar and water into a small saucepan
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
Allow to cool before using

Next:
Squeeze the juice from 12 limes into a pitcher
Add 1/2c simple syrup, taste to check sweetness
Add more simple syrup to suit your taste if you’d like it to be sweeter
Fill small rocks glass with ice
Add 2 oz cachaça
Add 2 oz lime mixture
Stir

This drink is very simple: cachaça, lime and sugar. To make it lighter you could add some plain seltzer, limeade or lemonade.

If you’d like to try another version of the caipirinha check out my post on A Dish of Daily Life today. I created a Strawberry & Lemon Caipirinha using fresh strawberries, lemons and limes. If you like strawberries this drink is perfect for you plus it’s a little sweeter than the traditional caipirinha.

If you were wondering what to make for Cinco de Mayo or Mother’s Day brunch – I think we’ve got you covered.

I’d love to hear if you try out either of the recipes or if you have another caipirinha recipe…share it below!

traditional caipirinha

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 Comments

  1. Pingback: [BLOCKED BY STBV] Fresh Strawberry and Lemon Caipirinha cocktail

  2. This looks so good! And the strawberry and lemon one does too! I can’t wait to try them both. Maybe we can make a couple pitchers for by the pool this summer. 🙂

  3. This sounds delicious and will also check out the other version at Michelle’s, too today 😉

  4. Sounds delicious and so simple and pure! I love finding drinks that are tart and not to sweet. I can’t wait to try this one.

  5. I actually had the good luck of being at Stephanie’s house at the right time when she was making the strawberry and lemon caipirinha cocktail and it was super fresh and tasty! I added some seltzer for a little fizz and I I enjoyed it even more. It’s a matter of personal preference though. I especially like saying the drink name, caipirinha and also the liquor name, cachaca…it’s so sexy!

  6. Love this drink! Simple, delicious, and made with my favorite rum! Thank you for posting a batch recipe, it’s always a challenge for me to take a single drink and keep the proportions correct for a pitcher!!

  7. You know I love a cocktail with some lime in it! The fresh fruit sounds delicious too! I’ll be trying this on Saturday. Thanks for the great ideas!

  8. AMAZING and I cannot wait to try it. Seriously I love lime. I will love this. And it’s your fault if I have too many. Just kidding, it’s my willpower’s fault. But also yours. 😉 ALSO HI I MISS YOU

  9. This is practically good for you.

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