Caipirinha
Updated Dec. 6, 2025
- Total Time
- 5 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 1medium lime, cut into quarters
- 2teaspoons sugar
- 2ounces cachaça
- Ice
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)
183 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 2 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
In the bottom of a sturdy rocks glass, add the lime wedges and sugar. Muddle until the sugar dissolves and the lime releases its juices. Add the cachaça and ice, stir to combine and serve.
- Cachaça, a liquor made from pressed, fermented sugarcane juice, is a key component here. When buying a bottle of cachaça, look for producers available stateside, such as Yaguara, Novo Fogo or Avuá. Should you find yourself in Brazil, leave room in your suitcase for offerings from local producers.
Private Notes
Comments
In the 90s,when touring the Amazon on a flat bottomed boat, our guide pulled up to a riverside dock and bought a bottle of unlabelled, locally made cachaça. He cut it by dipping the glasses into the river. We figured the cachaça would kill anything living in that water. No I'll effects so far! As for Caipirinhas, we use much less sugar. Also, if you don't have cachaça, make a Cipiroshca by using vodka!
This is also the national drink of Ecuador, and probably a few other South American countries. I use less cachaca and add sparking water for a refreshing and less alcoholic drink.
There's a difference between "lime" and "lemon". Lime is a "limão" like that we use in Brazil (limão comum). Lemon is larger, yellowish and sweeter.
When in Brazil we make it by the pitcher but use the more expensive aged gold cachaca. Also use liquid low cal sweetener with the sugar to get the flavor just right. A decent bottle is about $4 bucks with the rest about $2. Bottoms up.
Don't be hesitant when muddling the lime - a good caipirinha has plenty of lime peel oil in it.
Most Brazilians seem to prefer the Caipiroska, more readily available here as it swaps cachaca for vodka. Get creative and try pineapple, raspberry/blueberries, or my favorite - passion fruit pulp! Truly the best cocktail ever!