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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Caipirinha

    Caipirinha

    Published: May 27, 2022 · Modified: May 27, 2022 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    A classic Brazilian cocktail, this Caipirinha recipe only requires three ingredients! A delicious and refreshing drink, this cocktail comes together easily in a few simple steps. Made with cachaça, lime, and sugar, you’ll be sipping on this cocktail in no time.

    A silver tray with two glasses of caipirinha with fresh lime and a straw on top.
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    Pinterest graphic of a glass of caipirinha with a fresh lime slice on top. Another glass and more limes in the background.
    Pinterest graphic of two glasses of caipirinha with a small plate of cut limes in the background.
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of caipirinha with a fresh slice of lime on top of the ice with more limes in the background.
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of caipirinha with a linen napkin beside it with another glass and plate of limes in the background.
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    A refreshing cocktail that’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, this caipirinha cocktail recipe will be your new favorite summer drink. Caipirinha (pronouced kai-pee-reen-ya) is Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaça, sugar, and lime. It’s a bright and boozy drink that really packs a punch.

    Perfect for slowly sipping on a hot day, you can quickly whip this drink up for any occasion. The history behind the cocktail is unclear as some believed it was initially a medicinal drink while others believe it was a local drink for parties. Whichever the case may be, this cocktail has become a massive hit, and you can make this at home in a few simple steps. For another easy cocktail, try my watermelon margarita recipe, sidecar recipe, or paloma recipe.

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    Ingredients needed to make caipirinha.

    Limes — you must use fresh lime. Bottled lime juice contains preservatives that can alter the overall flavor of this caipirinha recipe. For the best flavor, use a ripe lime that is soft when you squeeze it and gives off a lime aroma when you scratch and sniff it.

    Sugar — granulated sugar is ideal for this cocktail as the sugar is coarse enough to help with muddling the lime wedges. Finer sugars or powdered sugar will melt too quickly.

    Cachaça — use your favorite brand or type of cachaça for this caipirinha. White cachaça (also known as clássica or tradicional) is not stored in wood after distillation and has an aroma and tastes closer to sugar cane. Amarela or yellow cachaça is stored or aged in wood and takes on the aroma of the wood it is aged in.

    How to Make Caipirinha

    Set of two photos showing limes cut and sugar added on top.

    1. Slice the lime wedges and add them to a glass.

    2. Add the sugar to the glass of lime wedges.

    Set of two photos showing the limes muddled and cachaça added to the glass.

    3. Muddle together the lime wedges and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.

    4. Fill the glass with ice and add the cachaça.

    Set of two photos showing the cocktail mixed and lime added on top.

    5. Stir for a few seconds.

    6. Serve immediately garnished with a lime slice, if desired.

    A glass of caipirinha with with a pink and white straw inserted. Fresh lime in the background on a cutting board.

    Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

    • To avoid a bitter taste in your caipirinha cocktail, remove the pith from the lime wedges before muddling them.
    • As the lime wedges go directly into the drink, make sure to give them a good wash beforehand.
    • Feel free to add more sugar if the limes are too tart for your liking.
    • As you have to muddle the lime and sugar for caipirinha, a sturdy or heavy-bottomed glass is ideal.
    • If you do not have a muddler, you can use a wooden pestle or wooden spoon to release the juices from the limes.

    Two glasses of caipirinha with a small plate of cut limes in the background.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between this cocktail and a mojito?

    Both cocktails are on the sweeter side and have similar ingredients. However, a mojito is a Cuban cocktail consisting of rum, lime, sugar, and mint, whereas a caipirinha is a Brazilian drink made with cachaça, lime, sugar, and ice. A mojito is also usually served in a tall glass.

    What kind of liquor is cachaça?

    Cachaça is a Brazilian distilled liquor made from fermented raw sugarcane juice. It has between 38 and 54 percent alcohol by volume. Cachaça must be produced in Brazil to be labeled cachaça.

    What are some variations on this cocktail?

    • Caipirila: make the caipirinha with tequila instead of cachaça.
    • Sakedina or caipisake: swap the cachaça for sake.
    • Caipiríssima: use rum in place of cachaça.
    • Caipiroska: make the caipirinha cocktail with vodka instead.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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    • Two glasses of Colorado Bulldog cocktails with a straw with Kahlua in the background.

      Colorado Bulldog

    If you’ve tried this Caipirinha recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    Two glasses of caipirinha with a straw in each and a small plate of cut limes in the background.
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    5 from 2 votes

    Caipirinha

    A classic Brazilian cocktail, this Caipirinha recipe comes together easily. Sweet, tart, and refreshing, this is the perfect summer drink!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Brazilian
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 1 servings
    Calories 203kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Cocktail glass
    • Muddler

    Ingredients

    • 1 lime cut into wedges
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
    • 2 ounces cachaça
    • Ice

    Instructions

    • Place the lime wedges and sugar in the bottom of a cocktail glass and muddle together until the sugar is dissolved.
    • Fill the glass with ice. Add the cachaça and stir for a few second.
    • Serve immediately garnished with a lime slice, if desired.

    Notes

    • To avoid a bitter taste in your cocktail, remove the pith from the lime wedges before muddling them.
    • As the lime wedges go directly into the drink, make sure to give them a good wash beforehand.
    • Feel free to add more sugar if the limes are too tart for your liking.
    • As you have to muddle the lime and sugar for caipirinha, a sturdy or heavy-bottomed glass is ideal.
    • If you do not have a muddler, you can use a wooden pestle or wooden spoon to release the juices from the limes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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