It reminds one of the world famous Mojito, but only in appearance. But by its properties and taste, the Caipirinha cocktail is much superior to all available drinks in the wine list of any bar. Specialists will never call this drink sophisticated, elegant, secular or sophisticated, but it is always a favorite among those who love the quick action of alcohol and prefer a quick-alertness.
Brazil symbol
The Caipirinha cocktail is considered a certain symbol of slavish Brazil. According to history, the first drink was prepared by slaves from the ingredients at hand. As they say, they blinded from what was, a remedy for the treatment of flu and colds. Namely, such was the world-famous Caipirinha several hundred years ago. If you translate the word from the Portuguese language, you get something like "peasant mash."
At that time, Caipirinho was prepared from improvised materials. There was no shortage of lime and cane sugar, even slaves could afford such products. But if earlier only the lower strata of society drank the drink, then centuries later secular lionesses and other representatives of the elite began to relish it.
Truth in simplicity
Experienced bartenders explain the frenzied popularity of the Brazilian Caipirinha cocktail by the fact that it contains simple and affordable ingredients. Genius in simplicity: lime, cane sugar and a large amount of ice.
As for the alcohol component, there may be several options. Someone is preparing a drink from expensive varieties of rum, while someone prefers to pour ordinary inexpensive vodka into a glass. By the way, originally Brazilian slaves made a drink based on cachashas. This is such a very strong alcohol made from cane sugar. Fortress - 38 °. Today it is rarely used, preference is given to vodka or rum.
There are countless versions of the drink. It all depends on the availability of certain ingredients, the imagination of the bartender and the wishes of the client. There are people who prefer a double serving of lime, and there are those who prefer a double dose of alcohol.
The classic recipe for the Caipirinha cocktail looks like this:
- large juicy lime - 1 pc;
- 50 ml of porridge (reed Brazilian vodka 40 °);
- 5-7 ice cubes;
- two bar spoons of cane sugar.
Cooking process
- First of all, they make lime. With a special small but very sharp knife, they cut off the tips and, having set one of the slices on the board, the fruit begins to be cut into 3 identical parts.
- Turn the lime over. We make a few more incisions, but perpendicularly. As a result of these simple manipulations, exactly nine equal segments indistinguishable from each other should be obtained. The middle of the fruit is usually thrown away.
- Put lime slices in a low mixing glass and add cane sugar.
- Slightly crush the contents of the glass with a special bar pestle.
- Add a large amount of crushed ice to the glass.
- At the last stage of preparation of the Caipirinha cocktail, add alcohol. A drink is served with a straw.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to find classic keshasa even in specialized stores selling expensive alcohol. Even tourists visiting Brazil do not always manage to bring home a bottle of cane vodka. What to do in this case? How can I modernize the composition of the Caipirinha cocktail?
Ingredient Replacement Options
Instead of keshasa, strong rum varieties can be used to make a drink. In extreme cases, as the bartenders say, you can take ordinary Russian vodka. You can change not only the type of alcohol, but also its amount per serving.
If you are tired of lime or it simply is not at hand, you can always use orange, lemon, grapefruit, wild berries or pomelo.
The amount of sugar can be reduced if you do not eat this product or try to reduce the amount of its consumption.
Some bartenders add a couple of sprigs of mint in order to add a little touch of originality and freshness to the familiar taste.
If you prepare the Caipirinha cocktail at home, and not at the workplace behind the bar, you can always experiment with the composition. Do not be afraid to conduct culinary battles for a delicious result, which, as you know, does not please experimenters the first time. Perhaps the only constant component is ice. Only the cold Caipirinha will show its true taste.