Caipirissima Cocktail Drink

Caipirissima

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Dreaming of a beachside cocktail? Look no further than our Caipirissima recipe. Gather your ingredients, make this drink, and let the relaxation begin.

Caipirissima Recipe

Turn your day around with our unbeatable Caipirissima recipe! A harmonious blend of rum, refreshing lime, and a dash of sugar ensures every sip is a moment to remember.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

182 kl

Ingredients

  • 2 oz White Rum
  • 8 lime wedges, from 1 lime
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • Crushed ice

Equipment

  • Muddler
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Spoon
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Muddle Lime & Sugar: Muddle 8 lime wedges and 2 tsp sugar in your Old Fashioned glass. You want to press the limes to release the juice, but don't pulverize it into pieces.
  • Add Rum: Pour 2 oz White Rum over the muddled lime and sugar mixture.
  • Add Ice: Fill the glass with crushed ice.
  • Stir: Mix the ingredients until well combined, then add ice if needed. Serve and enjoy the drink.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • White Rum: Sometimes, I switch up the white rum for a golden rum to give the drink a richer taste. Cachaça is also an excellent choice if you're looking to bridge the gap between a Caipirissima and a classic Caipirinha.
  • Sugar: If white sugar isn't on hand, brown sugar offers a deeper, molasses-like flavor. Agave or simple syrup can also serve as a quick liquid sweetener substitute.

Making a Pitcher of Caipirissima:

  • Scale: For a pitcher that serves 8, you'll need 16 oz of white rum, 8 limes cut into wedges, and 16 teaspoons of sugar.
  • Mix: Muddle the lime wedges and sugar in a large pitcher. Then, add the rum and mix well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • White Rum Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic rum alternative. Several brands on the market imitate the flavor profile of rum without the alcohol.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular rum and follow the original steps to enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic Caipirissima.

Making it Vegan:

The standard Caipirissima recipe is already vegan-friendly. However, always check the sugar brand you're using. Some sugars undergo a refining process using bone char, which isn't vegan. Opt for organic or raw sugar brands that specify vegan or bone-char-free.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
182
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.2
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
2
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
5
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Potassium
 
70
mg
2
%
Protein
 
0.5
g
1
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.04
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Vitamin A
 
34
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
20
mg
24
%
Calcium
 
22
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.4
mg
2
%

 

Caipirissima Cocktail Drink

Caipirissima Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Turn your day around with our unbeatable Caipirissima recipe! A harmonious blend of rum, refreshing lime, and a dash of sugar ensures every sip is a moment to remember.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 182

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz White Rum
  • 8 lime wedges - from 1 lime
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • Crushed ice

Equipment

  • Muddler
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Spoon
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Muddle Lime & Sugar: Muddle 8 lime wedges and 2 tsp sugar in your Old Fashioned glass. You want to press the limes to release the juice, but don't pulverize it into pieces.
  • Add Rum: Pour 2 oz White Rum over the muddled lime and sugar mixture.
  • Add Ice: Fill the glass with crushed ice.
  • Stir: Mix the ingredients until well combined, then add ice if needed. Serve and enjoy the drink.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • White Rum: Sometimes, I switch up the white rum for a golden rum to give the drink a richer taste. Cachaça is also an excellent choice if you're looking to bridge the gap between a Caipirissima and a classic Caipirinha.
  • Sugar: If white sugar isn't on hand, brown sugar offers a deeper, molasses-like flavor. Agave or simple syrup can also serve as a quick liquid sweetener substitute.

Making a Pitcher of Caipirissima:

  • Scale: For a pitcher that serves 8, you'll need 16 oz of white rum, 8 limes cut into wedges, and 16 teaspoons of sugar.
  • Mix: Muddle the lime wedges and sugar in a large pitcher. Then, add the rum and mix well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • White Rum Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic rum alternative. Several brands on the market imitate the flavor profile of rum without the alcohol.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular rum and follow the original steps to enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic Caipirissima.

Making it Vegan:

The standard Caipirissima recipe is already vegan-friendly. However, always check the sugar brand you're using. Some sugars undergo a refining process using bone char, which isn't vegan. Opt for organic or raw sugar brands that specify vegan or bone-char-free.

What is a Caipirissima?

Caipirissima is a cocktail that features white rum, lime, and sugar. It’s closely related to the Caipirinha, which uses cachaça instead of rum. The drink has its roots in Brazil and offers a refreshing taste profile ideal for warm weather. While the Caipirissima might sound exotic, it relies on simple, everyday ingredients. This cocktail’s straightforward nature means even those new to mixing drinks can appreciate its origins and taste.

A side shot of a Caipirissima cocktail in a old fashioned glass on a square coaster placed on a green cloth with cocktail tools and plants on the background

What is a Caipirissima made of – The ingredients

You need these things to make a Caipirissima:

  • White Rum: The primary spirit that gives the Caipirissima its kick and smoothness.
  • Lime: Adds a zesty, tangy flavor, making the cocktail refreshing.
  • Sugar: Balances the lime’s tartness and enhances the drink’s sweetness.

White rum, limes and sugar laid out on a white bar table.

How do you make a Caipirissima?

Find out how to make a Caipirissima with our simple guide:

1
<p>Start by slicing a lime into eight wedges and place them in an Old Fashioned glass.</p>

Start by slicing a lime into eight wedges and place them in an Old Fashioned glass.

2
<p>Add sugar over the lime wedges.</p>

Add sugar over the lime wedges.

3
<p>Muddle the lime wedges and sugar together in the glass, ensuring you press the limes well to release the juice but without pulverizing them into pieces.</p>

Muddle the lime wedges and sugar together in the glass, ensuring you press the limes well to release the juice but without pulverizing them into pieces.

4
<p>Pour white rum over the muddled lime and sugar mixture.</p>

Pour white rum over the muddled lime and sugar mixture.

5
<p>Fill the glass with crushed ice.</p>

Fill the glass with crushed ice.

6
<p>Stir the ingredients together until they’re well combined.</p>

Stir the ingredients together until they’re well combined.

7
<p>Serve and enjoy the drink.</p>

Serve and enjoy the drink.

Caipirissima vs Caipirinha – What’s the difference?

The Caipirissima and Caipirinha are refreshing cocktails with striking similarities but distinct differences. The primary difference lies in the choice of alcohol: a Caipirissima uses white rum, while the Caipirinha is made with cachaça, a Brazilian spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. This switch in spirit leads to a different flavor profile, with the Caipirissima offering a smoother rum taste, whereas the Caipirinha presents a unique, rustic flavor characteristic of cachaça. Although both drinks capitalize on the blend of lime and sugar, the distinctive spirits set them apart in cocktails.

A Caipirissima cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a square coaster placed on a green cloth with sugar cubes, a half lime, a bar spoon and a jigger, on top of a white table.

Variations

Looking for more? Here are some of our top picks:

  • Caipirinha: This Brazilian classic combines cachaça, sugar, and lime. The sharpness of lime perfectly balances the sweetness of sugar, enhancing the unique flavor of cachaça. I appreciate its bold, refreshing taste, ideal for sipping on a sunny day.
  • Caipiroska: Here, vodka replaces cachaça, offering a smoother, less robust profile. Lime and sugar remain, ensuring the familiar tangy-sweet balance. The vodka’s subtlety creates a lighter experience, which I find pleasantly refreshing and perfect for a relaxed evening.
  • Caipirila: In this twist, tequila takes center stage, introducing a rich, earthy undercurrent. The tequila’s distinct character, combined with lime and sugar, results in a drink that’s both vibrant and deep. I am particularly fond of the way tequila’s complexity transforms the experience, making it intriguingly different yet familiar.

A Caipirissima cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a square coaster placed on a green cloth with sugar, half lime and a bar spoon, on top of a white table.

History and Origin

The Caipirissima traces its roots to the renowned Brazilian cocktail, the Caipirinha. While the Caipirinha traditionally uses cachaça, a Brazilian spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice, the Caipirissima replaces it with white rum. This substitution likely began when travelers or bartenders wanted to create the beloved Caipirinha but didn’t have cachaça. Given rum’s wider availability, especially in places where cachaça wasn’t as accessible, it became a natural choice for this twist on the classic.

It’s worth noting that while the Caipirinha has a long and rich history in Brazil, linked to early 20th-century events and even used as a remedy for Spanish flu, the Caipirissima’s history is more of a testament to adaptation and the global spread of cocktail culture. As the world’s appreciation for the Caipirinha grew, so did variations like the Caipirissima, demonstrating the fluidity and evolution of cocktail crafting.

Caipirissima cocktail on a white marmol table with a white rum bottle, sugar cubes and limes around.

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FAQ

How many calories does a Caipirissima typically contain?
A standard Caipirissima, considering its ingredients, contains roughly 150-200 calories, although this can vary based on the exact measurements and specific brands used.
What's the strength of a Caipirissima in terms of ABV and proof?
Depending on the rum used and considering the dilution from the ice, a Caipirissima typically has an ABV of 20-25%, translating to 40-50 proof.
What alcohol does the Caipirissima use?
The Caipirissima features white rum as its primary alcoholic ingredient.
In which type of glass should a Caipirissima be served?
It's typically served in an Old Fashioned or rocks glass.
What does a Caipirissima taste like?
The Caipirissima boasts a refreshing and tangy profile, blending the smoothness of rum with the zest of lime and the sweetness of sugar.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Caipirissima?
A classic Caipirissima maintains a simple ratio: three parts white rum, two parts lime juice, and one part sugar, usually adjusted to taste.
How is the Caipirissima typically served in terms of ice?
The Caipirissima is commonly served over crushed ice.

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