Frozen Caipirinha
This icy take on Brazil’s classic caipirinha blends fresh lime, sugar, cachaça, and plenty of ice into a tart, slushy cocktail. It is bright, simple, and made for serving right away.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 drinks
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mBrazilianDrinks
A classic caipirinha is made by muddling lime with sugar, then adding cachaça, a Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane juice. This frozen version keeps the same sharp, sweet-tart flavor but turns it into a blender drink.
The key is using fresh lime juice and just a little zest for aroma. Avoid blending whole limes with the peel and pith, because the white pith can make the drink bitter.
Serve frozen caipirinhas as soon as they come out of the blender. Like any slushy drink, they are at their smoothest and frostiest in the first few minutes.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 4 drinks
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, from about 4 to 5 medium limes
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest, green part only
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar or superfine sugar
- 3/4 cup cachaça
- 4 cups ice cubes
- 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water, only if needed to help the blender move
- Lime wheels or wedges, for serving, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glasses
Place 4 rocks glasses or small cocktail glasses in the freezer while you make the drink. Cold glasses help the frozen caipirinha stay slushy a little longer.
2. Zest and juice the limes
Grate only the green outer peel from 1 lime until you have about 1 teaspoon zest. Then juice the limes until you have 1/2 cup fresh juice. Try not to include seeds.
3. Dissolve the sugar
Add the lime juice, lime zest, and sugar to the blender. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds, until the sugar starts to dissolve. This keeps the drink from tasting gritty.
4. Add the cachaça
Pour in the cachaça. Secure the blender lid and pulse once or twice to combine the liquid before adding the ice.
5. Blend with ice
Add the ice cubes. Blend on high until the mixture looks thick, pale, and slushy. If the blender stalls, stop and stir carefully with a spoon, or add 1 tablespoon cold water and blend again.
6. Adjust the flavor
Taste a small spoonful. Add a little more sugar if it is too tart, or a squeeze of lime if it tastes too sweet. Blend briefly after any adjustment.
7. Serve right away
Pour into the chilled glasses and garnish with lime wheels or wedges if you like. Serve immediately, before the drink melts and separates.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Juice the limes up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate the juice in a covered jar. For the freshest flavor, zest the lime just before blending.
- Storage: Frozen caipirinhas are best served right away. If you have leftovers, freeze them in a covered container for up to 1 day, then scrape with a fork or re-blend with a handful of ice.
- Cachaça swap: Cachaça gives this drink its Brazilian flavor. If you cannot find it, white rum will work, but the drink will taste more like a frozen daiquiri.
- Sugar options: Superfine sugar dissolves fastest. Regular granulated sugar works too; just blend it with the lime juice before adding the ice. Simple syrup can also be used, but start with 1/2 cup and reduce any added water.
- Avoid bitterness: Do not blend whole limes with the peel and white pith. The pith can turn the drink harsh, especially after blending.
- Texture fix: If the drink is too thin, blend in more ice. If it is too thick for the blender to move, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time.
Cook's note
This recipe contains alcohol and is intended for adults of legal drinking age. Drink responsibly and do not serve to anyone under the legal drinking age in your area.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What is cachaça?
Cachaça is a Brazilian spirit made from fresh sugarcane juice. It is the traditional alcohol used in a caipirinha. It has a grassy, lightly fruity flavor that is different from rum.
Can I make a frozen caipirinha without a high-powered blender?
Yes, but use smaller ice cubes or crushed ice if your blender is not very strong. Blend the lime juice, sugar, and cachaça first, then add the ice in batches.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh lime juice is strongly recommended because the drink has only a few ingredients. Bottled juice can taste flat or bitter in a cocktail this simple.
Can I make this less sweet?
Yes. Start with 1/4 cup sugar instead of 1/3 cup, blend, then taste. Lime acidity varies, so it is easy to add more sugar if needed.
Why did my frozen caipirinha separate?
Slushy cocktails naturally separate as the ice melts. Serve the drink right away, or stir it with a straw or spoon if it sits for a few minutes.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
4 drinks
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium1 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate19 g
- 7%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars17 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium4 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium36 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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