The Caipiroska is a twist on the popular Caipirinha – the national cocktail of Brazil. A simple cocktail made with muddled limes, sugar, vodka and plenty of crushed ice. Learn how to make a classic ‘roska, or make my fruity Blackberry variation to create a vibrant cocktail that is perfect for summer.
You will also love my Passion Fruit Caipirinha
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK OUT MY DISCLOSURE
My husband and I went through a MAJOR Caipirinha phase a few years back. If you are not familiar with this cocktail, it is made with cachaça, a spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice, muddled limes and cane sugar.
Cachaça (pronounced kah-SHAH-sah) is sometimes referred to as ‘Brazilian rum’ and frequently has rather rough alcoholic edge. The Caipirinha takes its name from the Portuguese word ‘caipara’ which roughly translates as ‘people of the countryside’.
A Caipiroska (or Caipivodka!) cocktail replaces the lesser known Cachaça with vodka – taking a Russianate name to reflect this (see also Moscow Mule, White Russian). My blackberry twist looks and tastes quite similar to the Bramble (which is made with gin).
Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this drink, but make sure you use the best vodka you can get your hands on.
- Lime, cut into wedges (1 lime per drink)
- Cane sugar or brown sugar syrup / simple syrup. For a Slimming World version you can make your own sugar free syrup using sweetener.
- Vodka – you can use flavoured vodka if you like or Eristoff Black for a Black Caipiroska! I have used my favourite Bison Grass Zubrowka from my Blackberry Caipiroska (Lemon Vodka would also work well).
- Crushed ice: if you can’t buy crushed ice, place ice cubes in a clean lint-free towel. Wrap the towel around the ice and pound with a rolling pin to crush. Alternatively blitz briefly in a powerful blender.
How to Make a Caipiroska
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!
The secret to the best Caipiroska (or a Mojito which is quite similar) is taking your time to properly muddle the lime and sugar, making sure the sugar has fully dissolved before adding vodka. I prefer to use sugar syrup and thereby avoid the dreaded ‘crunchy sugar’ cocktail syndrome!
STEP 1. Cut the lime into eight wedges and put into an old fashioned glass (a.k.a rocks glass).
STEP 2. Add the sugar syrup and use a muddler or the end of a clean rolling pin to pound the limes hard to release the oils from the skin as well as the juice.
STEP 3. For a Blackberry Caipiroska variation, add 3-5 large blackberries to your glass and muddle them to squeeze the vibrant juice out.
STEP 4. Add the vodka and give everything a good stir. Add crushed ice, stir vigorously and taste your drink. Do you need to add more sugar syrup?
STEP 5. Garnish with a lime wedge or a couple of blackberries on a cocktail stick and enjoy!
Slimming Cocktail
A Caipiroska is actually a pretty good cocktail on the Slimming World plan as it contains only one spirit – two measures of vodka (50ml) which are 6 Syns. If you create your own calorie-free sugar syrup using Sukrin or any granulated sweetener you can keep this at a relatively low-syn level.
How to make Syn Free Simple Syrup
Use a granulated sweetener that can be used at the same ratio as sugar (Sukrin, or Canderel Sugarly).
STEP 1. Put 200ml water and 200g granulated sweetener (or any measures at a 1:1 ratio) in a saucepan and stir over medium heat to dissolve.
STEP 2. Turn the heat off as soon as the syrup comes to a simmer and strain into a clean jar. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Caipiroska Variations
Fruity variations include: kiwi, strawberry, mango, passion fruit – you can use your favourite seasonal fruit to give your own twist.
- Kiwi Caipiroska: muddle 1 kiwi, peeled and cut into cubes together with the lime.
- Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry: add 2-4 berries and muddle as above
- Passion fruit: Add the pulp of one ripe passion fruit and stir (do not muddle)
Have you made my Caipiroska recipe? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!
Caipiroska
Ingredients
Classic Caipiroska
- 1 lime , cut into 8 wedges
- 1 tbsp sugar syrup or 1 tsp cane sugar
- 50 ml | 2 measures vodka
- crushed ice
- lime wedge to garnish
Blackberry Caipiroska
- 1 lime , cut into 8 wedges
- 1 tbsp sugar syrup or 1 tsp cane sugar
- 50 ml | 2 measures vodka or lemon vodka
- 3-4 fresh blackberries (or use frozen and thaw first)
- crushed ice
- 1 blackberry to garnish
Instructions
Classic Caipiroska
- Cut the lime into eight wedges and put into an old fashioned glass (a.k.a rocks glass). Add the sugar syrup and use a muddler or the end of a clean rolling pin to pound the limes hard to release the oils from the skin as well as the juice.
- Add the vodka and give everything a good stir. Add crushed ice, stir vigorously and taste your drink. Do you need to add more sugar syrup?
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Blackberry Caipiroska
- Cut the lime into eight wedges and put into an old fashioned glass (a.k.a rocks glass). Add the sugar syrup and use a muddler or the end of a clean rolling pin to pound the limes hard to release the oils from the skin as well as the juice.
- Add 3-5 large blackberries to your glass and muddle them as well to squeeze the vibrant juice out.
- Add the vodka and give everything a good stir. Add crushed ice, stir vigorously and taste your drink. Do you need to add more sugar syrup?
- Garnish with blackberries and serve.
Video
Notes
A Caipiroska is actually a pretty good cocktail on the Slimming World plan as it contains only one spirit – two measures of vodka which are 6 syns. If you create your own calorie-free sugar syrup using Sukrin or any granulated sweetener you can keep this at a relatively low syn level. How to make Sugar-free Simple Syrup
Put 200ml water and 200g granulated sweetener (or any measures at a 1:1 ratio) in a saucepan and stir over medium heat to dissolve.Turn the heat off as soon as the syrup comes to a simmer and strain into a clean jar. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Farah says
Wow! Beautiful photo, this looks so thirst quenching and delicious!
Lucy Parissi says
Thanks Farah it is a beautiful drink – so vibrant!