Three ingredients and a muddler. Half a lime cut into thirds, muddled with a teaspoon of granulated sugar in a glass. Three raspberries added and muddled gently. Ice, two and a half ounces of cachaca poured over, stirred, and garnished with more raspberries. That is a raspberry caipirinha.
The raspberries turn the drink a dark pink that deepens as the ice melts. The muddled lime and sugar are the base of every caipirinha, tart and sweet. The raspberries soften the edges and add a fruitiness that plain caipirinhas do not have. It tastes like summer in a glass and takes less than two minutes to make. This is the drink we make first when raspberries show up at the market.
Tips for Making a Raspberry Brazilian Cocktail
Muddle the lime first, then the raspberries
Press the lime thirds firmly against the bottom of the glass with a muddler to release the juice. Add the sugar and muddle again to dissolve it.
Add the raspberries after the lime and muddle gently. You want the berries to break open, not turn into a paste.
Use cachaca, not white spirit
Cachaca is a Brazilian sugarcane spirit. It has a grassy, slightly earthy flavour that defines a caipirinha. Substituting another spirit makes a different drink.
Two and a half ounces is a generous pour. For a lighter drink, use two ounces and top with a bit of sparkling water.
Raspberry Brazilian Cocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
Description
A refreshing twist on the classic Brazilian Caipirinha, this cocktail features muddled raspberries for a fruity kick.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lime (cut into thirds)
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 oz cachaca (Brazilian rum)
- 3 raspberries (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- In a glass, muddle the lime pieces with the sugar to release the lime juice.
- Add the raspberries and muddle gently.
- Fill the glass with ice and pour over the cachaca.
- Stir well and garnish with additional raspberries.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cachaca?
A Brazilian spirit distilled from fresh sugarcane juice. It tastes grassier and earthier than most spirits. It is the traditional base for a caipirinha.
Can I use other berries?
Strawberries, blackberries, or a mix all work. Raspberries are the most common variation. Muddle them the same way, gently.
Do I need a muddler?
A wooden spoon works. You need something sturdy enough to press the lime and release the juice. Do not use a fork, it shreds instead of pressing.
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