Caipirinha (Brazilian Drink)

Name: Caipirinha (Brazilian Drink) Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoon sugar; 2 whole limes (cut into 4 wedges.); 1/3 cup lime juice; 3/4 cup cachaça; Ice cubes (to taste)

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Servings 2 people

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Learn how to make the perfect Caipirinha (Brazilian drink) with this simple 4-ingredient
recipe. Ready in just 5 minutes, you’ll want to make this cocktail all summer long!

a glass cup of Caipirinha (Brazilian Drink) with a lime wedge

How about chilling out with this refreshing tropical cocktail? A refreshing Caipirinha is and will always be my favorite cocktail to enjoy during spring and summer.

It’s light and fresh, perfectly balanced, and so easy to make with just 4 ingredients. That’s why I love this recipe! It’s the easiest cocktail you’ll ever make, and it’s so versatile, too.

There are many variations of this drink because instead of using cachaça, some people use vodka or add fresh fruits. I’ll always be partial to the traditional recipe, but it’s easy to switch up if you want to get creative!

I love to make a batch of Caipirinhas when we’re outside cooking on the grill. Serve it with chips and homemade guacamole, and that’s my idea of the perfect summer afternoon!

What’s Caipirinha?

Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail and it’s sold all over Brazil in restaurants, bars, parks, and beaches (yes, alcohol is allowed to be consumed at the parks and beaches). It’s made traditionally with cachaça, which comes from sugarcane that’s been fermented and then distilled.

If I had to sum it up, I’d say cachaça is like the Brazilian rum, with a slightly different flavor. Add limes, sugar, and ice, and you can be sipping on a refreshing caipirinha in under 5 minutes.

Now that I’ve inspired you to make my favorite Brazilian drink, let’s get started.

Ingredients & Substitutions

There are many variations of this drink because instead of using cachaça, some people just use vodka or add different fruits like strawberry, kiwi, pineapple, and so on. But here is the traditional ingredients you need:

Sugar cane — It’s best to use granulated sugar in a Caipirinha because the texture helps extract the oils from the lime peel while you muddle it. This lends a ton of citrusy
flavor.
Limes — Fresh limes are a must for this recipe! We’ll be using lime wedges as well as
freshly squeezed lime juice. If you want to make flavored Caipirinhas, toss in some fresh fruit when you muddle the limes. Strawberries, passion fruit, kiwi, and pineapple would all be delicious additions!
Cachaça — The most popular spirit in Brazil! If you don’t have cachaça on hand, try this recipe with vodka instead. When Caipirinha is made with vodka, it’s called a Caipiroska, and it’s just as delicious!
Ice cubes— Serve your Caipirinha over ice for the most refreshing cocktail ever!

Pre-measured ingredients to make Caipirinha.

How to Make Caipirinha

In a cocktail shaker, gently mash/crush the lime wedges and sugar with a pestle from a mortar) or wooden spoon, until all the juice is released.
Then, pour the lime juice and cachaça into the shaker and shake it for about 1 minute to dissolve the sugar.
Pour the Caipirinha into two glasses with ice and garnish with a lime wedge. Cheers!

The steps to build the perfect Caipirinha in a cocktail shaker - muddle, shake, and rest.

Olivia's Recipe Tips

Muddle the sugar and lime just enough to release the juices and oils, but not so much that it’s totally macerated. Over-mixing at this step can make the Caipirinha bitter.
The best limes will be fragrant, bright green, and should feel plump but not too soft when you squeeze them. Also, look for a nice smooth peel without blemishes.
This cocktail is best served ice cold, so don’t hold back with the ice cubes.

closeup glass cup of Caipirinha (Brazilian Drink) with a lime wedge

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy cachaça?

Cachaça is readily available in the US and fairly easy to find at most liquor stores, some grocery stores, or your local Brazilian market. If you can’t find cachaça in your area, there are plenty of online stores where you can order it.

Can I use simple syrup or honey instead of sugar?

While you can use these alternatives, Caipirinhas are best with real sugar. Because it’s abrasive, the sugar helps extract the oils from the lime peel, which makes the drink SO flavorful. Liquid sweeteners are definitely an option, but the results won’t be quite the same.

Can I substitute the cachaça with rum?

You can technically make this cocktail with almost any type of liquor, but a traditional Caipirinha is made with cachaça. Rum and other spirits will change the flavor profile of the drink.

What’s the Difference Between the Caipirinha and Mojito?

The main difference between a Caipirinha and a Mojito lies in their ingredients and flavor profiles. A Caipirinha is made with cachaça (a Brazilian sugarcane spirit), lime, sugar, and ice, giving it a distinctively robust and earthy flavor. A Mojito, on the other hand, uses white rum, mint, lime, sugar, and soda water, resulting in a more refreshing and minty taste.

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Caipirinha (Brazilian Drink) Recipe

3.75 from 12 votes

Author: Olivia Ribas

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Learn how to make the perfect Caipirinha (Brazilian drink) with this simple 3-ingredient recipe. Ready in just 5 minutes, you’ll want to make this cocktail all summer long!

Ingredients

Instructions

Add the sugar and lime pieces to a cocktail shaker. Using a pestle or a wooden spoon, gently mash the limes and sugar together. Do not squeeze the lime too much, just enough for the sugar and lime to combine nicely.
Add the lime juice and cachaça to the cocktail shaker. Close the shaker and shake it to dissolve the sugar for about 1 minute.
Pour the contents of the shaker into two glasses with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

When muddling the lime with the honey, be careful not to mash them too much or the lime may become bitter.
After cutting the lime, remove the white pith as it will add bitterness to the drink.
It’s important to use fresh lime juice here. Bottled lime juice or concentrate just won’t taste the same.