Caipirinha Recipe

Caipirinha is the classic Brazilian cocktail made with Cachaça, a spirit made from the juice of cane sugar. It is the national drink of Brazil and is drunk by everyone from the favela dwellers to the playboys in the clubs of Ipanema.

It's best enjoyed in the evening sunshine on the beach, accompanied by some Bossa Nova or Samba, with a Churrasco barbecue on the go.

Alternatively, try the next best thing: Brazil brought into your living room by the power of television!

4 limes

1/2 cup sugar

Ice cubes

1 1/2 cups cachaça

Quarter the limes lengthwise, then cut each quarter in half crosswise and divide pieces between glasses.

Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to each glass, then muddle the lime pieces by pounding and pressing with a wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved into the lime juice.

Fill each glass with ice and add 3 tablespoons cachaça to each, stirring well

Experiment with other fruits - passion fruit, strawberry and kiwi are good options.

Use fine sugar.

Choose the clearest type of cachaça rather than golden as this will be better quality.

If you can't find any cachaça then you can use rum to make a caipirissima or vodka to make a caipiroska. Both are widely drunk but lack that certain Brazilian something!

Drink responsibly!