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In my opinion, the Caipirinha is a perfect cocktail. It’s simple (just 3 ingredients) and is perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. For this recipe all you need is Cachaça, juicy fresh limes and some sugar. After years of making this cocktail, I’ve found the best version is shaken, not stirred, and requires the tiniest pinch of salt. Let’s make one!
I worked in the restaurant industry for years, and the many nights after work I would enjoy a Caipirinha made by my good friend, and bartender, Jonah. He made the perfect Caipirinha.
This recipe article was originally published in 2021 and has since been updated with helpful tips for success.
3 Reasons This Is the Best Caipirinha
- I’ve honed in on the perfect amount of sugar that makes for a sweet, but not too sweet, cocktail.
- Shaking the cocktail is not traditional but it is key to blending the flavors and diluting the cocktail—especially if you don’t have crushed ice readily available.
- A pinch of salt is key for balancing the flavors. Not traditional, but worth the addition.
What is Cachaça?
By law, cachaça must be made in Brazil and is made from cane juice pressed from the stalks of sugarcane.
You’ll hear Cachaça often referred to as “Brazil’s rum,” and although it is distilled from the fresh cane juice, it’s significantly different from most rum on store shelves.
Traditional rum is made by distilling cane juice that has been processed into molasses, which gives it that rich, caramel-like flavor.
Cachaça, on the other hand, is made by fermenting fresh sugarcane juice then distilling to create the spirit. Cachaça has a much brighter, grassy, and almost herbaceous flavor than rum.
2 Steps to Making a Caipirinha
- Add the wedges of 1 lime (yes a whole lime) to a cocktail shaker with sugar and a pinch of salt. Muddle until the limes wedges have been completely juiced and the sugar appears to be dissolved.
- Add the Cachaça then fill the shaker with ice and shake well to chill. Pour the cocktail—lime wedges and all—into a rocks glass and serve.
Traditionally, this Brazilian cocktail is made in the rocks glass it is served in (as shown below). If you have crushed ice on hand, make it the traditional way!
My Favorite Brand of Cachaça
My favorite brand of cachaça is Leblon and it’s what I used here. It’s easy to find and is generally in the rum section of the liquor store.
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Caipirinha Cocktail (3-Ingredient Recipe)
Description
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Ingredients
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 ounces cachaça
- pinch salt
- Ice
Instructions
- Add lime wedges, sugar and a pinch of salt to a cocktail shaker. Muddle until wedges have been completely juiced and the sugar appears to be dissolved.
- Add Cachaça, fill with ice, and shake vigorously to chill. Pour the cocktail, lime wedges and all, into a rocks glass and serve.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
This article and recipe were originally published on May 22nd, 2017. They were last updated on March 7, 2025 for clarity and helpfulness.
Love a caipirinha ! This looks AMAZING – thanks for this inspiration 🙂
Thanks Mary! 🙂
I love caipirinhas! It’s one of my favorites to make at home – so simple, smooth and refreshing.
Marisa, I completely agree, I can’t think of a more refreshing drink!
Never had caipirinha but quite loving the green shade. Perfect for the season, must try!
Thanks! It’s such a simple, refreshing drink for summer!
One more: if you can get key limes, by all means make a caipirinha with them – they are the best and the closest to the galego lime found in Brazil. Otherwise, regular limes will do.
Melissa, thanks for that tip! I am stopping by the store this evening and will keep an eye out for some key limes. Thanks for sharing!
The best tip is to cut the lime in quarters and cut off the middle white thing in the lime. And when muddling the lime, don’t do it too much. Both things will help creating a caipirinha that is less bitter. Shaking is also not recommended because it crushes the lime too much, also releasing all the bitterness of the peel. The main goal in the muddling is to release the essencial oils of the peel in just the right amount – think of the sugar as an exfoliator. Don’t over do it and the results will be amazing 🙂
A caiphrina is my 2nd fav summer cocktail. Tanqueray and tonic with lots of fresh squeezed lime, gotta get that lime oil in there. This is easy, colorful, tasty and light. Just right for suppertime sipping.
Yum! Lots of lime juice is key, agreed!