An invigorating concoction made of limes, sugar, and the Brazilian spirit cachaça.
Tonight’s drink hails from Brazil, specifically, the São Paulo region. The Caipirinha is made with cachaça—a local spirit, distilled from fermented sugarcane juice—which is poured over ice, sugar, and muddled limes. If you like a Mojito on a hot afternoon or a sweaty night out, this drink might taste a little familiar to you, except there’s no mint used.
Even though the history and origins of the cocktail are as muddled as the limes used in one, most historians agree that it was invented around 1918. This older variation on the recipe was actually used for medicinal purposes, and featured honey and garlic. It was often given to patients during the Flu Pandemic of 1918-20. And as some of us know, more than a few popular adult beverages began their life in a “professional” vein before people began to adjust the amount of spirits that were used. Interestingly enough, the Caipirinha is still offered sometimes in the present day as a remedy for the common cold.
Recognized as the most popular cocktail in Brazil, the Caipirinha has also become one of its most popular recipes worldwide, due to cachaça becoming more widely available outside of the country. TasteAtlas reported it as the third most popular cocktail in 2024, and the IBA has it on their list of officially recognized drinks, in the Contemporary Classics category. Have one tonight, and you’ll see why.
What is the best cachaça to use in a Caipirinha?
Depending on where you live, you may not have the easiest time finding a bottle or having much to choose from. Around my neighborhood, I’ve got a handful of options in terms of brands and types of cachaça I can get. For this drink, I’ll recommend an unaged spirit, which will be grassy and lighter tasting than an aged version. It mixes well with the limes and cuts through their acidity without overtaking the sweetness of the sugar.
Ingredients
- Half a lime cut into wedges
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fine granulated sugar
- 2 ounces cachaça
Instructions
- In a glass, add the lime wedges and sprinkle the sugar on top. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste, but usually 1 to 2 tablespoons should do.
- With a muddler or the back of a spoon, muddle the sugar and lime together.
- Add 2 ounces of cachaça to the glass. Fill the glass with ice and stir your cocktail until it's well mixed.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Fill a lowball or rocks glass with ice. No extra garnish is needed, though you can pop an extra lime wedge on the rim, if desired.
How do you say “Caipirinha”?
The drink’s name is pronounced “kai-peer-EEN-yah”, and don’t worry if you can’t get it right at first. Most bartenders will understand, or just think you’ve had a few already.
Similar cocktails to the Caipirinha
Discovering spirits you didn’t know you needed in your life is always a pleasure. We all know the whiskeys and rums and vodkas in the usual drinks we enjoy, but finding beverages that aren’t your usual poison is part of the fun. Try some of these recipes out for more of what entranced you with the Caipirinha.
- Passion Fruit Caipirinha – Colorful and sweet, this version of the Caipirinha is like a party in a glass.
- Caipiroska – Vodka becomes the foundation in this crisp riff on tonight’s drink.
- Batida – Frothy and tropical, this fruity cachaça cocktail is sure to satisfy.
- Coconut Mojito – Minty and creamy, the Coconut Mojito is a fine companion for the Caipirinha.
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