Caipirinha
The star of Brazil’s national cocktail, cachaça (kah-sha-sa), is a potent alcohol distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. By law, it must be produced in Brazil and contain 38 to 48 percent alcohol by volume. The cocktail is simple — just booze, sugar, and lime juice — but it’s no shrinking violet. After a couple of these, you might find yourself in the middle of the dance floor as the self-appointed samba king.
Directions
Put the lime wedges and sugar in a cocktail shaker. Muddle to release as much lime juice as you can. Pour in the cachaça and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a 10-ounce glass.
Cook’s Notes
If you don’t want to keep superfine sugar around your kitchen, you can just whizz some granulated sugar in a spice grinder and you’re good to go.
