stannobello
New Member
The Caipirinha (kai-pee-ree-nyah) is the national cocktail of Brazil and is a sweet and refreshing concoction of sugar, lime, and cachaça.
While its origins are debated, the general consensus is that the drink originated in São Paulo in 1918 by landowning farmers who created the drink for high-class events and parties. This is perhaps where the name caipirinha comes from, since “caipira” means hillbilly in Portuguese, or a word used to refer to people from the countryside. Others claim that the mix has its roots in a Portuguese remedy made with lemon, garlic, and honey that was used to treat the Spanish Flu around the same time.
Over time, the ingredients changed, where the garlic and honey were swapped out for sugar to balance the acidity from the lime. To create the caipirinha cocktail that we know and love today.
Using a knife, cut the lime lengthwise into 4 equal wedges.
Pour 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar over the lime wedges.
After adding the sugar, crush the lime wedges with a muddler or the back of a spoon. This releases the lime juice and essential oils from the lime peel, combining with the sugar to form a syrup.
If you are using a cocktail shaker, secure the lid and shake the contents well for 10–15 seconds, then pour all the contents into a glass.
While its origins are debated, the general consensus is that the drink originated in São Paulo in 1918 by landowning farmers who created the drink for high-class events and parties. This is perhaps where the name caipirinha comes from, since “caipira” means hillbilly in Portuguese, or a word used to refer to people from the countryside. Others claim that the mix has its roots in a Portuguese remedy made with lemon, garlic, and honey that was used to treat the Spanish Flu around the same time.
Over time, the ingredients changed, where the garlic and honey were swapped out for sugar to balance the acidity from the lime. To create the caipirinha cocktail that we know and love today.
Ingredients
- 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 ounces (60 ml) cachaça
- Crushed ice or ice cubes
Step 1: Prepare the Lime Wedges
Take one lime and wash it thoroughly.Using a knife, cut the lime lengthwise into 4 equal wedges.
Step 2: Muddle the Lime and Sugar
Place the lime wedges in a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker.Pour 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar over the lime wedges.
After adding the sugar, crush the lime wedges with a muddler or the back of a spoon. This releases the lime juice and essential oils from the lime peel, combining with the sugar to form a syrup.
Step 3: Add the Cachaça
Pour 2 ounces (60 ml) of cachaça over the muddled limes and sugar mixture.Step 4: Mix and Serve
Fill the glass with the crushed ice, and stir well to mix all the ingredients together.If you are using a cocktail shaker, secure the lid and shake the contents well for 10–15 seconds, then pour all the contents into a glass.
