It’s National Cachaça Day today so here’s how to make the Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail.
It may be difficult to pronounce but it couldn’t get any easier to make. The Caipirinha (kai-pee-reen-ya) is a combination of rum, lime and sugar but it’s not a daiquiri. Brazil’s national cocktail is made from Cachaça, the country’s most popular indigenous spirit. Unlike most rums which are molasses-based, Cachaça is made from freshly-pressed cane juice. You can read more about the spirit in our essential guide to Cachaça.
The Caipirinha is a refreshing drink in the summer heat and so easy to make when hosting a party at home or entertaining friends. Simply muddle cut limes with sugar, add the Cachaça, shake and serve. No garnish needed. A summer cocktail that puts you in a holiday mood and transports you to a warm beach.
Caipirinha Recipe
Ingredients
- 60ml Cachaça
- 1 bar spoon of castor sugar
- 1 lime, cut into quarters
Glassware: short glass
Method
In a cocktail shaker, add the cut lime and sugar and muddle to extract the juice. Don’t press too hard on the limes or the drink will end up bitter. Add the cachaça and give it a stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add a few ice cubes to the shaker and shake hard until very cold. Pour all the contents into a short glass without straining.
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