Caipirinha cocktail
The Caipirinha cocktail is considered Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça, sugar, and lime.
This classic caipirinha cocktail recipe means the only mixer is the lime juice derived from the lime wedges – making this drink a rather potent!
One popular story is that the Caipirinha was created in the throes of the Spanish Flu in 1918 as it contains many of the ingredients that Doctors prescribed people to consume. Even today it is still popularly consumed when someone is suffering from cold and flu.
The limes' natural sugars combine with the sugar from the white rum (Cachaça) to give the Caipirinha cocktail a great sweet, strong flavour.
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
Equipment
- Lowball glass
Ingredients
- 75 ml white rum (Cachaça)
- 2 tsp sugar
- lime wedges
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the lime wedges and sugar into the glass.
- Muddle/mash the lime wedges and sugar together well in the glass.
- Pour in the white rum.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir well to finish.
FAQ
Is caipirinha a cocktail?
Yes, it’s Brazil’s national cocktail: a refreshing mix of cachaça, lime, sugar, and ice, served over crushed ice.
What is a caipirinha made of?
Traditionally it’s just four ingredients—fresh lime wedges, granulated sugar, genuine Brazilian cachaça, and ice—muddled together for bright citrus sweetness balanced by the spirit.
Is caipirinha gluten-free?
Yes, it contains no gluten, dairy, eggs, or other animal products—just fruit, sugar, and cachaça—so it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.
How many calories are in a caipirinha?
A standard 150 ml caipirinha clocks in at roughly 200–220 kcal, depending on how much sugar you use; swapping to a lighter sweetener can shave off extra calories.
Can I swap cachaça for another spirit?
You can experiment with rum (for a caipiríssima) or vodka (for a caipiroska), but you’ll lose the distinctive earthy, sugar-cane character that makes a true caipirinha special.