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A refreshing glass of Caipirinha de Limão with lime slices and ice, served with a wooden stir stick, surrounded by fresh limes and a muddling glass, highlighting the vibrant and zesty nature of this traditional Brazilian cocktail.

How to Make Brazilian Caipirinha Recipe

Patricia Granek
This is the real deal—a traditional Caipirinha recipe straight from my Brazilian family’s kitchen! Learn our tips for muddling lime slices, balancing sweetness, and using the perfect mix of ice for a refreshing, classic Brazilian cocktail.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Brazilian
Servings 2 servings
Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 5-6 limes sliced
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 oz cachaça
  • ice cubes
Step-By-Step ImagesScroll back for process images and recipe tips!

Instructions
 

  • Slice and Juice Your Limes: Slice two of your limes into wedges or slices. Juice the remaining limes until you get about 2 ounces of lime juice.
  • Muddle the Lime and Sugar: In a sturdy glass or muddler container, combine the lime wedges and sugar. Muddle them together until the sugar is dissolved into the lime juice and the limes release their oils and juices.
  • Add Cachaça and Lime Juice: Pour the cachaça and lime juice into the muddler. Stir well to mix the lime, sugar, and cachaça together.
  • Fill with Ice and Serve: Fill the glass with ice cubes, then pour the Caipirinha mixture into each glass, dividing it between two servings. Traditionally, it's also customary to add the muddled lime slices into the glass.
  • Serve Immediately: Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy your refreshing cocktail.

Notes

Key Tip:
  • Use Lime Slices, Not Wedges: Lime slices release the juice and oils evenly without crushing the bitter rind.
  • Choose Coarse Sugar: Coarse cane sugar dissolves slowly, creating a perfectly balanced drink.
  • Muddle Gently: If you’re new to muddling, press firmly but gently, rotating the lime pieces to extract maximum juice without pulverizing the rind. Use coarse cane sugar for the best balance of sweetness and flavor.
Substitutions: If you can’t find cachaça, white rum works as a substitute, but you’ll miss out on its signature grassy flavor.
No Muddler? No Problem: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or the back of a spoon to muddle the limes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 5gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mgZinc: 0.2mg
Tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comments !