THE COCKTAIL HOUR: Caipirinha

Ralf Roletschek / roletschek.at

And now for something completely different...

This week we're trying a new cocktail, one I've never mixed before and, until recently, never even heard of.  The caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil.  It's similar to a daiquiri, but uses cachaca...which we know better as aguardient...instead of rum.  It's also similar to a mojito in that you muddle some ingredients, but uses lime instead of mint.  Think of it as the offspring of a daiquiri and a mojito if you will.

It's very tasty and refreshing with a slight licorice taste to it.  Also, it's low in calories at around 145 calories per drink.

INGREDIENTS

4 small limes
Juice of one medium lime
1 1/2 oz. aguardiente
1 tbsp. sugar or 1 oz. simple syrup

Cut the small limes in quarters and put into cocktail shaker.  Add sugar (or simple syrup) and muddle (squash with a muddler). Add ice, lime juice, and aguardiente.  Shake and strain into cockail glass.

Cheers!

-Darryl