What is a caipirinha?
The national drink of Brazil and made with the country’s sugarcane spirit, cachaça, the origins of this drink are unclear. Some think it emerged from Portuguese slave traders who mixed cachaça, sugar and limes together to create a palatable drink that would prevent them from getting scurvy on the long voyage back to Europe.
Mojito fans in particular will love this light, zesty yet punchy cocktail.
How to make a caipirinha
Try rolling the limes on a worksurface before cutting as this will help release the juices and essential oils.
Caipirinha recipe
Ingredients
- lime ½, sliced into wedges
- caster sugar 2 tsp
- cachaca 50ml
Method
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Step 1
Use the end of a rolling pin to muddle together the lime wedges and sugar in an old fashioned glass or tumbler. Fill the glass with ice, pour over the cachaça and stir well until combined and the ice has diluted a little before serving.