The Caipirinha pronounced (kai/pee/reen/ya) is considered the national drink of Brazil. So you know it has something going for it. The main spirit cachaça (ka/cha/sa) is made from sugar and considered to be part of the rum family. But it is much more vegetable and earthy than other forms of rum. Traditionally it is served in an old fashioned glass, this drink is very informal. While we encourage you to measure all the ingredients carefully for most cocktails, this one is free-styled. Once you master it, you can have a great time teaching friends how to make it at a party. Put out a bowl of cut limes, some sugar, and a bottle of cachaça, and show everyone the fun new drink you learned and how they can easily make it, too.
EQUIPMENT
- Old fashioned glass
- Jigger
- Muddler
Ingredients
- 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 ounces cachaca such as novo fogo silver
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place half a lime cut-side down on a cutting board and cut about ⅛ inch off the “north and south poles,” or the ends.
- Cut the half lime into three wedges (or four wedges for a large lime).
- Cut each wedge in half width wise to make almost a cube, the ideal shape.
- Put six lime “cubes” in the old fashioned glass. Add the sugar
- Use the muddler to extract the juice and incorporate the sugar. Add the cachaça. Stir with the muddler to incorporate. Add ice to fill the glass.
quick tip
If the funkiness (or soil-like flavor) of the cachaça puts you off,or if you have a difficult time finding it, substitute a traditional silver rum of your choice, such as the ubiquitous Bacardi Silver.
Caipirinha
The Caipirinha (kai/pee/reen/ya) is the national drink of Brazil. The base spirit cachaça (ka/cha/sa) is made from sugar and considered to be in the rum family,but it is much more vegetal and earthy than other styles of rum.
- 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 ounces cachaca such as novo fogo silver
Place half a lime cut-side down on a cutting board and cut about ⅛ inch off the “north and south poles,” or the ends.
Cut the half lime into three wedges (or four wedges for a large lime).
Cut each wedge in half width wise to make almost a cube, the ideal shape.
Put six lime “cubes” in the old fashioned glass. Add the sugar
Use the muddler to extract the juice and incorporate the sugar. Add the cachaça. Stir with the muddler to incorporate. Add ice to fill the glass.
If the funkiness (or soil-like flavor) of the cachaça puts you off, or if you have a difficult time finding it, substitute a traditional silver rum of your choice, such as the ubiquitous Bacardi Silver.
