Caipirinha

Name: Caipirinha
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients: 1 fresh lime, cut into 8 wedges; 2 tsp granulated white sugar (or raw demerara); 2 oz cachaca (Brazilian sugarcane spirit; substitute white rum if unavailable); 1 cup crushed ice

5 minEasyServes 1200 cal/serving

BrazilianAlcoholic DrinkNo-CookVeganStandardHigh FiberGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeSoy-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 fresh lime, cut into 8 wedges
2 tsp granulated white sugar (or raw demerara)
2 oz cachaca (Brazilian sugarcane spirit; substitute white rum if unavailable)
1 cup crushed ice

Instructions

1

Place 1 cut into 8 wedges fresh lime wedges in a sturdy rocks glass or lowball glass.
2

Add 2 tsp granulated white sugar (or raw demerara) directly over the lime.
3

Muddle firmly with a muddler or the back of a spoon, pressing down and twisting to release all the juice and essential oils from the lime skin. Muddle vigorously for about 30 seconds.
4

Fill the glass generously with 1 cup crushed ice.
5

Pour 2 oz cachaca (Brazilian sugarcane spirit; substitute white rum if unavailable) over the ice. Stir well with a bar spoon until the sugar is fully dissolved and the drink is well chilled, about 20 to 30 seconds.
6

Taste and add a little more sugar if desired. Serve immediately.

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Questions

What is Caipirinha?

Brazil's national cocktail made with fresh lime, sugar, and cachaca muddled together over ice. Bracingly sour, sweet, and spirit-forward, it is one of the most satisfying two-minute drinks in the world. This reference files it under Brazilian alcoholic drink: made without cooking, rated easy and about 5 minutes start to finish.

Can I make Caipirinha without alcohol?

The alcohol here is 2 oz cachaca (Brazilian sugarcane spirit; substitute white rum if unavailable). Replace a base spirit with the same volume of a zero-proof spirit, or with chilled tea or tonic for bite; replace sparkling wine with sparkling water and a squeeze of citrus. Keep every other line as written, and expect a lighter, sweeter drink, since alcohol also carries bitterness and body.

How many calories are in Caipirinha?

One serving (the recipe makes 1) is about 200 calories, with 5 g protein, 36 g carbohydrate and 1 g fat, plus 8 g fiber and 35 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Can I batch Caipirinha for a group?

Yes. As written it serves 1. Halved, the lime drops from 1 to 1/2; doubled, it is 2. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. To batch it for a crowd, multiply everything but add the ice only when serving.

Serve it with

Batata Frita com Bacon e Cheddar starter
Bolo de Fuba (Cornmeal Cake) dessert
Arroz de Carreteiro main

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