Traditional Caipirinha Recipe
- Written by: Ricardo De Sousa
- Updated on:

Table of Contents
What is Caipirinha?
The Caipirinha (kai-pee-ree-nyah) is the national cocktail of Brazil and is a sweet and refreshing concoction of sugar, lime, and cachaƧa.
While its origins are debated, the general consensus is that the drink originated in SĆ£o 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.

What is CachaƧa?
CachaƧa, pronounced ka-shah-suh, is a Brazilian distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice and plays an integral part in Brazilian culture and cuisine, both as a drink and as an ingredient. People often compare cachaƧa to rum, which is typically made from molasses, however, cachaƧa’s sugar cane foundation gives it a distinct flavor profile.
CachaƧa comes in two main varieties: unaged (white) and aged (gold). The unaged version is clear and typically has a more robust, grassy flavor, while the aged variety develops a golden color and complex flavors from being stored in wooden barrels.

The Perfect Caipirinha Ingredients
CachaƧa: White cachaƧa is best to use for making a caipirinha. The grassy flavor of the unaged cachaƧa pairs well with the lime and sugar in the cocktail, creating a refreshing and zesty taste. Golden cachaƧa is best enjoyed neat on the rocks because of its complex flavor. But it is also used in another Brazilian cocktail called Rabo de Galo, where it is mixed with red vermouth.
Sugar: For a traditional caipirinha, white granulated sugar is the best option. However, if you don’t have white granulated sugar, you can use brown sugar or simple syrup, but it won’t be autĆŖntica.
Lime: Persian limes, also known as Tahiti limes, are the best and most common limes. If you cannot find limes, you can use lime juice; however, it won’t have the same flavor as using fresh limes. Fresh limes not only provide the juice but also the essential oils from the lime peel, which contribute to the authentic taste of a caipirinha.
Lemons are also commonly used as a substitute for limes, but this is not the authentic way; they are often used because of availability and price. In certain regions of the world, lemons are more common than limes and are thus cheaper as well.
Ice: Crushed ice is preferred for caipirinhas because it melts faster and dilutes the strong flavors of the cachaƧa and lime. To make crushed ice, you can use an ice crusher or blender, or you can place the ice cubes in a sturdy bag and crush them with a mallet or rolling pin.

How to Make a Traditional Caipirinha Cocktail
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 CachaƧa
Pour 2 ounces (60 ml) of cachaƧa 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 10ā15 seconds, then pour all the contents into a glass.
Step 5: Garnish (Optional)
As an additional garnish, you can place a lime wheel or wedge on the edge of the glass.
To make the cocktail more festive and decorative, you can rim the glass with sugar before placing the ingredients inside the glass. To do this:
- Take a lime or lemon wedge and run it around the rim of the glass to moisten it. Alternatively, you can dip the rim of the glass into a small dish of simple syrup.
- Make sure the entire rim is evenly moistened but not overly wet.
- Hold the glass upside down and gently dip the moistened rim into the plate of sugar.
- Twist the glass slightly to ensure the sugar sticks evenly around the entire rim.
- Carefully lift the glass and gently tap it to remove any excess sugar that might fall off.
- Allow the sugar to set for a few seconds before adding the ingredients to the glass.
Caipirinha Recipe Variations
You can play around by adding other fruits, like passion fruit pulp, mango chunks, strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple pieces, for a caipirinha recipe that combines tropical tanginess with sweetness.
Serving and Pairing Your Caipirinha
Grilled meats, such picanha and churrasco, create a harmonious flavor profile when paired with the caipirinha’s refreshing acidity.
The sour and sweet flavors of the cocktail also work well with seafood dishes like shrimp skewers and ceviche, as well as tropical fruits like pineapple and mango in salads and salsas.
If you want to fully embrace Brazilian cuisine, pĆ£o de queijo (cheese bread) and feijoada (black bean stew) are excellent dishes to pair with this cocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions
Canāt Find CachaƧa? Alternatives and Substitutions
Caipirinhas made without cachaƧa are a common sight in bars and among bartenders. Substituting white rum, tequila, or vodka for cachaƧa is standard practice. These spirits have given rise to other variations on the caipirinha drink, like the vodka-based Caipiroska and the rum-based Caipirissima.
How Strong Is the Caipirinha Cocktail?
CachaƧa normally has an ABV of 38% to 48%. A classic caipirinha recipe calls for around 2 ounces (60 ml) of cachaƧa combined with lime, sugar, and ice. Because the drink is not heavily diluted, the ABV drops to roughly 30% for a caipirinha, making it a fairly strong cocktail.
What is the difference between a Mojito and a Caipirinha?
Using ingredients like sugar and fresh limes, the two cocktails have a similar refreshing flavor. But that’s about the extent of their commonalities. Mojitos are more of a tropical Caribbean-style drink that features rum, mint leaves, and club soda. Traditional caipirinha recipes don’t use club soda or rum, and have a grassier flavor due to the cachaƧa.
How do you pronounce Caipirinha?
Caipirinha is pronounced kai-pee-ree-nyah
Nutritional Information
Nutrition Facts | 1 Cocktail |
---|---|
Calories | 210 |
Protein | 0g |
Carbohydrates | 18g |
Sugars | 16g |
Fiber | 1g |
Fats | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 1mg |
Total Time
Serving Size
Ingredients
- 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 ounces (60 ml) cachaƧa
- Crushed ice or ice cubes