Caipiroska

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/29/21
Caipiroska Cocktail

 The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
216 Calories
0g Fat
26g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 216
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 39mg 195%
Calcium 51mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 137mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The caipiroska is vodka's answer to the caipirinha. It uses the same muddled sugar and lime of the famous cachaça drink, but swaps out the liquor. The refreshing cocktail has a sweet-tart flavor and is very simple to make.

This recipe is a perfect use of dark sugars. It's nice with raw sugars like turbinado or demerara and really shines with coconut or palm sugar. You can make it with standard brown sugar, but will want to use less—white sugar can make a good caipiroska, too.

The keys to this drink are crushed ice (and lots of it) and choosing a vodka that you enjoy drinking straight. Use as much lime as you like, but be generous because it's the main flavoring ingredient. When it all comes together, you'll have a crisp, ice-cold vodka cocktail to enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 1 lime

  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or raw sugar

  • 2 ounces vodka

  • 1 cup crushed ice, or more as needed

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Caipiroska Cocktail
     The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. Cut off both ends of a lime, then cut it in half lengthwise. For each half, cut it lengthwise, then slice across the lime three times to make a total of 12 small wedges.

    Cutting Lime for Caipiroska Cocktail
     The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  3. Place at least six lime wedges (more to taste) in a chilled old-fashioned glass. Add the sugar and muddle well to mix.

    Mixing a Caipiroska Cocktail
     The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour in the vodka

    Mixing a Caipiroska Cocktail With Crushed Ice
     The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. Stir well, incorporating some of the lime into the crushed ice.

    Stirring a Caipiroska Cocktail
     The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  6. Top with more ice and garnish with extra lime wedges. Serve and enjoy.

    Caipiroska Cocktail
     The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Tips

  • The mixing technique is a matter of preference, though this drink relies on a good amount of dilution. Some people enjoy shaking the caipiroska with ice cubes and will pour everything into the glass. You can also roll the drink between two glasses with small cubes or chunky ice.
  • A blender can quickly make crushed ice out of ice cubes. To reduce melting, chill the blender pitcher in the freezer for about 10 minutes, then pulse it.
  • Alternatively, crush the ice with a mallet or muddler in a lint-free towel or plastic bag. If you enjoy drinks like this often, consider adding a handheld ice crusher or Lewis bag to your bar.
  • Crushed ice melts quickly, so this is not a drink to let sit around.

Recipe Variations

  • Brown sugar is richer, so reduce the measurement to about 2 teaspoons when using it as a substitute.
  • Use 1 ounce of simple syrup instead of sugar. Infused syrups add extra flavor.
  • Switch to a flavored vodka to customize the taste.
  • Add more fruits to the muddle. A strawberry caipiroska is a favorite variation, and mango and passionfruit are common, too. Nearly any crushable fruit that pairs well with lime will work.
  • Muddle herbs, such as mint or rosemary into the drink. Ginger adds a spicy snap, too.

How Strong Is the Caipiroska?

The caipiroska uses dilution to soften the flavor. The ice melt also reduces the alcohol content over time; its impact is dependent on the form of ice you use. While it's not precise because of that factor, the caipiroska will initially mix up to about 20 percent ABV (40 proof), or about half the vodka's bottling strength.