Taste from Afar: Caipirinha / Caipiroska

Recipe

There is nothing quite like having a caipirinha ("kai pur ee-n yah") on a warm day sitting along Rio’s Ipanema or Copacabana Beaches. Little baraccas, or makeshift bars, sit along the black and white patterned boardwalks and barmen serve refreshments to beach-goers. They serve these cocktails in clear plastic cups, and there is nothing quite as refreshing as sipping the citrusy sweetness to quench your thirst. I had these bartenders teach me how to make an authentic one, and it is really quite simple. Note: a caipirinha has cachaça, a Brazilian rum, but I prefer the caipiroska, which substitutes the rum for vodka. Either works well, depending on your taste:

A Beach Baracca’s Caipirinha

1 whole lime

2 - 3 heaping tablespoons of sugar (I prefer demerara) 

2 shots cachaça (Pitu brand is a good option), or substitute vodka

Ice

Firmly roll the whole lime on a cutting board with your hands to loosen the juices and oils. Cut off the very ends, setting those aside. Cut the lime into 8 pieces, and place in a small bowl. Add the sugar. Use a mortar to crush the lime, squeeze out the juice, and blend it with the sugar. Place in a short, wide cocktail glass (lime pieces and all), mix in the alcohol. Add plenty of ice, crushed if possible. To mimic the heat of the beach, I add a splash of water (or club soda) to the top of the drink to suggest that the ice is already melting fast. Serve.

Photo Source: Lonely Planet

Syllogi’s ‘Musings’ is a series helping you paint a picture of a destination while traveling from your living room. From relevant books and articles, inspiring movies and tv shows, to songs and even treats and dishes, our goal is to curate a sensory experience that will prepare you for an upcoming trip, reminiscence on adventures past, or simply to envision a place that exists in your bucket list fantasies.