Caipirinha

[CooksQuest]

Caipirinha

To make a killer caipirinha (pronounced ky--pee-REE--nya) here is what you do:

• 1 c Cachaça
  
• 1 Lime
  
• 3 T Sugar
  
• 1 T Water (optional)
  

1) Cut off the ends of the lime (just a few millimeters in) and discard. They are bitter.

2) Cut the remaining lime into 1/8's or so. (It doesn't have to be perfect.) If you can avoid the core of the lime, that is best because it is kind of bitter.

3) Put the remaining lime into the bottom of a drink shaker.

4) Add about three tablespoons of sugar. (If you can find superfine sugar, it dissolves easier. If you can't find it, regular sugar is ok.) You will probably need to experiment with the amount of the sugar.

5) Crush the lime and the sugar using a pestle. (Crush the lime pulp side up because if you crush the skin, too much bitter lime oil will be released.)

6) Add some cachaça. It will be about a cup. You can add some water (maybe a tablespoon) if you want. But the drink is really almost all -- if not all -- cachaça. You'll probably have to experiment with the amount.

7) Add ice cubes and shake the shit out of it. (Ideally, it should be a little foamy.)

8) Serve in a highball glass with a stirrer. If it is not sweet enough, add more sugar and shake.

Warning: There seems to be a 30 minute delay effect with this drink! So, pace yourself accordingly.

Keywords: Cocktail, Easy, Latin American

( RG1139 )