Caipirinha

Caipirinha (KIE-PUR-REEN-YAH), known as the national drink of Brazil, has been gaining in popularity in the cocktail world over the past number of years. Once relatively unknown outside of Brazil, the drink is becoming a hit with international crowds far from Copacabana Beach. In fact, the International Bartender Association has designated it as one of their Official Cocktails.

The original meaning of the word Caipirinha is "someone from the countryside" or what we might call a hillbilly or yokel or country bumpkin. However, the drink has gained such popularity and sophistication that the countryside association is rarely made, and today the word Caipirinha carries connotations of the drink itself without the baggage of its origin.

It is a simple drink, with few ingredients, but like the Mojito, requires a bit of time and a gentle touch when preparing it.

The alcoholic base for the cocktail is Cachaça (KA-SHA-SA) which, like rum, is made from sugarcane alcohol, derived from sugarcane that has been fermented and distilled. This spirit is said to have been developed from sugar cane over 500 years ago. It has a sharper, tarter taste than rum and is well suited to cocktails that call for sugar and lime or other fresh fruit. Cachaça can also be used to flambé desserts, marinate meat or even as a flavoring for tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

The main difference between Cachaça and rum is that rum is usually made from molasses, a by-product from refineries that boil the sugarcane juice to extract as much of the sugar crystals as possible. Cachaça, on the other hand, is made from fresh sugarcane juice that has been fermented and distilled.

A Caipirinha cocktail is served on the rocks, over ice. The sweetness of the sugar and the tartness of the lime disguise the taste of the alcohol, but don’t be deceived. This is not lemonade in the shade! Proceed with caution!

Recipe for Raspberry Caipirinha

Serves 1

1 cup raspberries
2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
2 ounces Cachaça
Crushed ice
Muddle raspberries and sugar together, using a muddler or a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved and the juice of the raspberries is released.

Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add 2 ounces Cachaça. Garnish and serve.

Recipe for Traditional Caipirinha

Serves 1

4 Key limes or 2 regular limes
2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
2 ounces Cachaça
Crushed ice
Wash the limes thoroughly as the skins will be incorporated into the drink. Roll the lime on the cutting board to loosen the juices. Cut the fresh lime in half and then into 4 wedges, removing the centre portion of the pith. Place the lime wedges with the granulated sugar into a glass.

Muddle ingredients together, using a muddler or a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved and the juice of the lime is released.

Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add 2 ounces Cachaça. Garnish and serve.

Variations
To vary the recipe you can try using fresh fruits instead of lime. Replace the lime with ½ to 1 cup of one of the following: strawberries, kiwi, passion fruit, watermelon, guava, grape, mango, orange, plum, pineapple, pear, peach or even figs.

If you are unable to find Cachaça, you can substitute either vodka or rum. If it's made with rum, it is called a Caipirissimo.

Tasting Notes
The Caipirinha has a smooth, refreshing taste, similar to a Mojito, but a bit sharper. Tangy and sweet, it is a refreshing summer drink and with the multitude of fresh fruit available, can be varied according to the mood of the day.