Caipirinha

Caipirinha is a traditional Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça, sugar, and lime. The classic cocktail is tart, refreshing, and very easy to make!

about this caipirinha

Ever tried a Caipirinha? Made with cachaça, lime, and sugar, it’s a three-ingredient drink that packs a serious punch and brings major tropical vibes to your glass. It’s no wonder it’s Brazil’s number one cocktail!

Think of it as a mojito’s bolder cousin. Instead of rum, Caipirinhas use cachaça (Brazil’s sugarcane spirit) which gives this drink its distinct flavor. The limes are muddled right in the glass with sugar, releasing all their essential oils and bright citrus kick.

It’s simple to make too – muddle, pour, shake, and you’re done! It’s the kind of drink that’s perfect for hangouts, backyard BBQs, or anytime you want to feel like you’re on a Brazilian beach.

A Caipirinha is such a refreshing break from mojitos and margaritas. You might find that it is your new favorite cocktail…

Pro tip: Use fresh limes and a good quality cachaça – these make all the difference between a good Caipirinha and a great one. Grab your muddler, and let’s mix up Brazil’s most famous cocktail!

Looking for a Brazilian mocktail? Try a non-alcoholic ipanema cocktail for a fruity and tart drink you won’t be able to put down.

what is cachaça?

Cachaça is a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice. The liquor (pronounced kah-SHAH-sah) is a product only made in Brazil. While some think of it as a category of rum, it’s really it’s own category of liquor. It’s made from freshly-pressed sugar cane juice, instead of rum which is made from other sugar by-products like molasses.

Note: This is an updated version of the original published on August, 18, 2016. The post now has added tips and tricks, as well as a big batch recipe.

ingredients

lime. Fresh limes are a must! You will need whole limes for the cocktail, as well as additional limes to get the fresh juice from.

simple syrup. Simple syrup is incredibly easy to make – you only need equal parts sugar and water. Learn how to make simple syrup yourself or head to the store to buy some!

Cachaça. If you are new to this liquor, Cachaça is a Brazilian distilled liquor made from the fermentation of raw sugarcane juice. It is a type of rum, but the main difference is that cachaça is made from the fermentation of sugarcane juice, whereas rum is made from sugarcake byproducts (like molasses). Pick up a nice quality liquor for the best flavor possible.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this cocktail, you will need a jigger to measure out ingredients, a muddler for muddling the limes, and a cocktail shaker to assemble the cocktail. Use a cocktail strainer to strain the cocktail into rocks glasses or double old fashioned glasses.

here’s how to make a caipirinha cocktail

muddle

Add lime juice, lime wedges, and simple syrup to an empty shaker. Muddle just until the juices of the lime wedges release. If you muddle too much, the cocktail will taste bitter.

shake

Fill the shake with ice, then add in Cachaça. Shake well until chilled through, about 10 to 15 seconds or so.

strain

Strain the cocktail into rocks glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

tips and tricks

use fresh limes. Make sure you are using the freshest limes possible! This will yield the best flavor for the cocktail.

don’t over muddle. If you muddle the limes too much, you will get a bit of a bitter flavor in the cocktail. Muddle the lime wedges just enough to release the lime juice.

use good quality cachaça. The better quality the liquor is, the better the cocktail will taste – it’s as simple as that!

More citrusy cocktails to sip on: Orange Dreamsicle | Lemon Mojito | Grapefruit Daiquiri | Lemon Agave Margarita

what is a substitute for cachaça?

If you cannot track down a bottle of Cachaça for this cocktail, you can use a white rum instead. Other substitutions can be tequila and vodka.

what is the difference between a caipirinha and a mojito?

The difference between these two cocktails is that a mojito is traditionally made with white rum and mint. The caipirinha, on the other hand, is made with cachaça, sugar, and lime (no mint!).

how can I make this caipirinha cocktail into a bulk (big batch) cocktail?

While you can make this cocktail in a big batch, I do recommend making it right before you plan to serve it. It is not a cocktail that lasts a long time in the fridge, and is best served fresh!

To make this a big batch cocktail to serve 8 people, you will need: 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 24 limes, 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup simple syrup (you can adjust the sweetness if you need to), and 2 cups cachaça.

Muddle all of the lime juice, lime wedges, and simple syrup (start with a 1/2 cup, then stir in more after making the entire cocktail, if desired) in a large pitcher. Fill the pitcher with ice, add cachaça and stir vigorously until chilled through. Serve in rocks glasses filled with ice and garnish.

Need some inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a caipirinha

Since this drink is very crisp and refreshing, we like to pair it with rich grilled meats, grilled seafood, fresh shrimp ceviche, or fresh fruits like mango and pineapple.

For small bites, try our fresh pineapple mango salsa which is colorful and vibrant to pair with chips. Crispy Korean BBQ chicken wings are a heartier option. You can also whip up some easy bbq bacon wrapped shrimp!

If you are looking to pair this cocktail with a main dish, our grilled chipotle bbq chicken skewers are an easy place to start! Steak fajita foil packets are a meal wrapped up in their own individual foil packet, make them easy to grill and serve. For a seafood option, grilled salmon with charred corn avocado tomato salsa on top is a stunning centerpiece for an table.

more lime cocktail recipes to make at home

This chili lime margarita is a reader favorite with a spicy kick and smoky finish.

All you need are 4 ingredients to make a batch of refreshing limeade margaritas!

Add a bit of char to your cocktail with this grilled lemon lime mojito cocktail. It’s perfect for backyard BBQs.

Finally, if you make this caipirinha recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

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