Cooling off with a Cocktail

I've temporarily pushed aside one of my all-time favorite summer time drinks, the Gin and Tonic, for a new (at least to me) adult beverage called the Caipirinha (pronounced kai-purr-een-ya). When a friend introduced me to this drink a few weeks ago; I was intrigued. 

The Caipirinha is a crisp and refreshing muddled cocktail made with just a few simple ingredients: Cachaca, (prounounced "ka-shah-sa") sugar, lime and ice. This drink has all the right balances of sweet and tart. Perfect as an aperitif with hors d'oeuvres or on its own as you laze in the hammock.

I had never tasted Cachaca (commonly referred to as Brazilian rum). Technically it is not even a rum, as it is not distilled from molasses but from pure sugar cane. Traditional Puerto Rican rum is fermented from sugar cane that has first been crystallized and changed into molasses. My husband and I conducted a side-by-side taste test of the two liquors. I knew which was which, but he did not. The two liquors smell and taste completely different. While the Puerto Rican rum has that distinctly alcohol smell and that burning acoholic taste; the Cachaca has an earthy and robust flavor. The interesting part is that both my husband and I described the aroma as reminiscent of tequila! Even though the United States labels Cachaca "Brazilian rum"; it really tastes nothing like rum. 

The Caipirinha has been around for a long time. After all, it is the national drink of Brazil. However, the Caipirinha gained popularity in the United States only in the last decade. Will it be the next mojito or margarita? I hope so. It's so delicious and a snap to mix up. It pairs well with just about any summer food.

The key to an extra-tasty Caipirinha is to muddle properly. Muddling refers to the crushing of the ingredients to release flavor. Because the skins of the limes contain oils which can be very bitter, it is essential not to muddle too much or you will end up with a drink that is bitter and not balanced. Just about 5 seconds will do and with not too much pressure. You want to release the flavors from the flesh of the lime and not the skin.

The classic Caipirinha does not contain club soda. However, I'm using my artistic license here and adding it in as an option. I personally find the drink too strong without it!

Caipirinha

1 lime

2 teaspoons superfine or granulated sugar

crushed ice

2 ounces Cachacha

Club soda (optional)

1. Wash lime. Cut a small amount from each end of the lime. Cut lime in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half (you will end up with 4 wedges). Remove the white pith from the length of each half (pith is bitter), then cut each wedge into 4 small pieces).

2. In a rocks or old-fashioned glass muddle (press down and gently twist with a muddler or pestle) the sugar and limes for about 5 seconds.

3. Add cachaca and crushed ice. Stir until sugar dissolves.

4. If using club soda, fill glass with soda.

5. Serve immediately. Enjoy!