Caipirini Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/23/21
Refreshing Caipirini Cocktail With Cachaca

 Stock Food / Getty Images

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

If you are a fan of the caipirinha, you will love this version. The caipirini has all the same characteristics as its more popular predecessor but transforms the cocktail into sort of a Brazilian martini. It's refreshing, semi-tart, and is another fantastic opportunity to enjoy a fine cachaça.

Camila Cardillo created this particular recipe for Leblon Cachaça. There are two main changes from the caipirinha: extra lime juice (or sour mix) is added and it's not served over ice. You still get to enjoy that wonderful lime-cachaça flavor, it simply comes in a pretty package!

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, place the lime slices and sugar (or simple syrup). Mix, then muddle well.

  3. Add the cachaça and lime juice, then fill the shaker with ice.

  4. Shake vigorously.

  5. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  6. Garnish with a lime twist. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • The variety of cachaças available is growing as the worldwide distribution of the spirit expands. If you're going to venture beyond the Leblon suggestion, ensure the cachaça you choose is high quality for a better drink.
  • Fresh lime juice is recommended and, since you need to muddle a lime anyway, there is really no excuse for not using it. You should be able to get 1 ounce out of a single lime unless the fruit is small.
  • A lime twist is just like cutting a spiral of lemon peel. Actually, the smaller fruit tends to hold the twist better. The peel is naturally tighter than large lemons which can require a little finesse and squeeze to keep the shape.

Recipe Variations

  • A sour mix can make a nice caipirini, especially if it's homemade. To retain that lime dominance, consider making your sour mix a little heavier on the lime or skipping the lemon entirely. It is sweetened, so use less sugar or syrup.
  • Clear cachaça is not your only option. Try it with an aged cachaça and enjoy the additional nuance of wood undertones imparted by the barrel. Novo Fogo is one brand that specializes in various types of wood barrels and each expression has an entirely new profile to contribute to cocktails.
  • If you run out of cachaça, a high-end white rum would be the best substitute. Essentially, you'll be making a cocktail similar to the daiquiri.

How Strong Is a Caipirini?

The caipirini stands up to the majority of martini-style cocktails when it comes to its strength. On average, it will mix up to 20 percent ABV (40 proof), so drinking two caipirinis successively would be like taking a straight shot of cachaça. Keep in mind that short drinks like this are potent and you'll be fine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
276 Calories
0g Fat
43g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 276
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 43g 16%
Dietary Fiber 5g 16%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 56mg 280%
Calcium 57mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 184mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)