How to a Make a Strawberry Caipirinha

As a Brazilian expatriate, I am always really proud when I see Caipirinha on a bar’s menu. Brazil’s national cocktail, Caipirinha is traditionally made with lime, sugar, ice and cachaça–a spirit made from sugar cane that is only produced in Brazil. As cachaça has become more available outside my home country in recent years, Caipirinha has gained international attention.

If you have already tried Caipirinha, you know how refreshing and delicious it is! I cannot think of a better cocktail for the summer season. One thing that you may not know is that in Brazil we make the Capirinha not only with lime, but with any fruit you can think of. Today, I want to show you how to make my favorite: strawberry Caipirinha. Strawberry adds a lovely natural sweetness and great texture to this drink.

There is a good chance you will find cachaça at your local liquor store. Make sure to choose the best quality available. If you can’t find cachaça, use vodka to create another Brazilian favorite, the Caipiroska–which is the same as Caipirinha but made with vodka instead of cachaça.

For best results, make Caipirinha one at a time in the same glass you will serve it.

Start by roughly chopping cleaned and trimmed strawberries.

Place the strawberries and superfine sugar in a lowball glass. I said superfine sugar, not confectioners’ sugar!

Muddle the fruit and sugar, leaving some small chunks of strawberries still intact.

Add cachaça and stir to combine.

Fill up the glass with ice and stir again. Do not use crushed ice, or you will end up with a watery drink.

Serve immediately. I don’t use a straw because the best part is to eat the pieces of strawberries while you drink the cocktail!