Cachaça · Classic · IBA official recipe
Caipirinha
A refreshing Brazilian classic with lime, sugar and Cachaça.
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Technique
- Stirred
- Strength
- 25% ABV (estimated)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 5 min
This is a staple of Brazilian hospitality, offering a bright and zesty profile. The base spirit is Cachaça, a sugarcane distillate that brings a distinct earthy character to the mix. Fresh lime wedges are muddled with granulated sugar to release the oils and create a natural syrup. The result is a balanced, crisp drink that is best served over ice in a sturdy rocks glass. It is a straightforward preparation that highlights the quality of the ingredients without any added complexity or garnish.
Ingredients
Method
Place the lime wedges and sugar into a double old fashioned glass.
Lime 1 Sugar 20 ml0.7 oz2 clMuddle the mixture gently to release the lime juice and dissolve the sugar.
Fill the glass with cracked ice.
Pour in the Cachaça.
Cachaça 60 ml2 oz6 clStir gently to combine the ingredients and chill the drink.
The story
Variations include the Caipiroska, which swaps Cachaça for Vodka; the Caipirissima, which uses Rum; and the Caipirão, which features Licor Beirão.
As commonly told; not independently verified.
