Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail
Bring the Southern hemisphere into your life with this exotic Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail! Lime, raw sugar and Brazilian rum marry in this tropical cocktail!
This popular Brazilian cocktail is ideal for summer sipping on a hot evening. If you enjoy lime cocktails, this cachaça based drink is destined to become a new favorite!
Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail
Brazil’s most popular cocktail is quickly becoming one of mine, too. My first Caipirinha Cocktail (pronounced kai-pee-reen-ya) was at a book club meeting. Don’t I have fun friends? With our book selection, State of Wonder, set in Brazil, it seemed a natural addition to the menu.
As Brazil’s national cocktail, it’s made with the tropical ingredients of lime, sugar cane, along with rum made with sugar cane. It’s been called Brazil’s version of the mojito. The name, caipirinha, actually translates to “little countryside drink.”
How to Make a Caipirinha
Making a caipirinha cocktail is quite simple. There are only 3 ingredients to put on your shopping list.
- First, procure some Cachaça, which is a Brazilian rum made from fermented sugar cane. See more details below.
- For the sweetener, raw sugar or a sugar syrup is traditional for this tropical cocktail.
- Fresh limes are a must as they’re pulverized to release both the juices and the oils.
- Use a cocktail muddler to crush your lime wedges.
- Whether to use crushed ice or cubes is up to you. I prefer the crushed as it helps dilute this potent cocktail.
- Limes are muddled with the raw sugar before the Cachaça and crushed ice are mixed in. The results are a cool, refreshing, yet strong beverage!
What is Cachaça?
Cachaça (ka-shah-suh) is made from the fermented juice of sugar cane vs. the molasses of ordinary rum. It’s also known as aguardente, pinga, and caninha.
You can use sugar syrup or raw sugar for muddling the limes, and there is a debate as to whether to serve with crushed ice or ice cubes. The flavors are quite similar to a Daiquiri, but with a rustic appearance due to the pulverized lime pieces in the bottom of the glass.
A Few More Tips for Making a Caipirinha
These Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail are strong and can really pack a punch. Make certain they are well stirred, so each cocktail has enough sugar. And as the crushed ice melts, the sips become sweeter and smoother.
Make sure to use fresh lime juice. If you try to make these Brazilian cocktails with bottled juice, the quality will suffer.
I am certain these Caipirinha cocktails will be a hit with any Latin American fare. This August, our “little countryside” will be our backyard where the grill will be smoking, mosquitoes will be buzzing and fireflies glowing. Lots of laughter and maybe even a few fireworks. A tropical cocktail is apropos for any summer gathering!
More Easy Cocktail Recipes
- Lillet Aperitif
- St Germain Gin and Tonic
- Kir Royale
- Beer Margaritas
- Hawaiian Sunset Cocktail
- More Cocktail Recipes
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month’s theme is Late Summer Latin American Cuisine – casual warm weather fare – salads, grilled foods, summer cocktails, and our host is Tamara who blogs at Beyond Mere Sustenance.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. A theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the deliciousness we’ve put together for our celebration inspired dishes!
Late Summer Latin American Cuisine!
Cocktails
- Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Easy Peruvian Pisco Sour Cocktail – The Wimpy Vegetarian
Appetizers
- Patacones – Colombian Plantain Chips – SpiceRoots
- Chorizo Empanadas – The Red Head Baker
Main Courses
- Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri – From a Chef’s Kitchen
- Steak Adobo Tacos – Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Hatch Chile – Beyond Mere Sustenance
Sides
- Quick Mexican Pickled Onions and Carrots – Shockingly Delicious
- Venezuelan-Style Black Beans (Caraotas Negras) – Sarah’s Cucina Bella
- Easy Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice – The Heritage Cook
Desserts
- Easy Tres Leches Cake – Clandestine Cake Club
- Chocotorta – Argentinian Chocolate Cake – Creative Culinary
Caipirinha Cocktail
A Brazilian rum and lime cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rum (Cachaça)
- Half a lime, cut in quarters
- 2 teaspoons raw sugar or 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- Place lime pieces in bottom of a high ball glass. Muddle the limes by pressing and twisting with a muddler.
- Add Cachaça, simple syrup or sugar, and crushed ice and stir. Garnish with a lime slice if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1 glassAmount Per Serving: Calories: 192Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 0g
62 Comments on “Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail”
There’s no way I can wait until next summer to try this. I think I’d enjoy it no matter what the season!
You drink at your book club?! I think I better move your direction! What great discussions you must have. I’ve always loved this little drink and usually have it with lots of fresh mint. My bottle is empty!
This sounds so refreshing — perfect for a late summer party. And I am intrigued by Cachaça. I don’t think I have ever had it but now I’d like to. Yum!
I am planning on spending a lot of time in the pool this weekend with THIS drink in my hand! It sounds amazing.
I just love a Brazilian Caipirinha Cocktail! I may have enjoyed one too many in one evening a couple of times lol.
My husband absolutely fell in love with these when he had to travel to Brazil on business. When he got home, he recreated it at home and then I fell in love with them, too! Looks great! I think we need to make this again this weekend!
Cachaça is such good stuff! And it’s fantastic in this drink. Your version looks perfect — thanks.
Yes, caipirinha…although I was young and could not drink…now every time at Brazilian restaurant ordering a caipirinha is a must…great recipe Liz.
Have a great week!
That looks really refreshing! Thanks so much for all of the information about the special rum! Now I’m on a quest.
I absolutely want my resident mixologist to make these for me. These could be a weekly thing over here!
This cocktail looks seriously refreshing, Liz! Love all of your great tips as always!
I love rum drinks! I’ve never heard of this one, and would love to try it!!
I have always wanted to try one of these cocktails. Thanks for all the tips on how to make it!!
I haven’t had a caipirinha since 2006 when our Brazilian exchange student’s family sent 3 bottles of cachaca from his grandfather’s farm! Great memories and a beautiful cocktail! I’m looking forward to making them soon.
What a lovely refreshing cocktail. I could just do with one right now as we’re having a heatwave here in the UK.
I was looking for a new cocktail recipe and this one was perfect. Everyone loved it!
My parents brought me a bottle of cachaça and it has sat in my cupboard as I didn’t know what to do with it. Then I found this recipe. These were just delicious!!! Thank you
My girls and I are getting ready to go out dancing, thinking we will whip up a few of these to get us in the mood. Lovely and refreshing. 🙂
This is a very potent cocktail. You can add a SPLASH of sprite to make it a milder drink without changing the overall taste too much.
Great idea! I found it was much more palatable once the ice started melting 🙂
I saw this drink being made on TV a few years ago and have wondering about it ever since. I sense it’s the kind of thing that will quickly leave me on my butt and don’t get me started wondering about your “book group.” Hahahahaha