The Caipirinha cocktail captures the spirit of Brazil in a glass: the rhythm of samba, the heat of the beach, and the vibrancy of the culture. Rustic, intense, and incredibly refreshing, this drink is deceptively simple. It requires only three ingredients: lime, sugar, and cachaça. However, mastering the balance between the tart citrus, the sweet crunch of sugar, and the vegetal funk of the sugarcane spirit is an art form. Our Sherry Caipirinha uses Lustau Fino Jarana in place of cachaça, which still provides plenty of funk while drastically lowering the ABV. Have a sip of this Brazilian icon and prepare to be transported to paradise.
COCKTAIL: Caipirinha
Full Ingredients list
- 2oz(60ml) Lustau Fino Jarana
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Garnish: Lime Wheel
Recipe author: Steven Dragun
WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE CAIPIRINHA
The story of the Caipirinha is inextricably linked to the history of sugar production in Brazil. When Portuguese colonists brought sugarcane to Brazil in the early 1500s, they eventually began distilling the juice into cachaça. The Caipirinha’s origin is somewhat murky, often blending folklore with history. The most widely accepted theory traces the drink back to the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918. In the countryside of São Paulo, a recipe consisting of lime, garlic, and honey (mixed with alcohol to preserve it) was used to treat patients. Over time, the garlic and honey were removed, sugar was added to balance the acidity, and the drink moved from the medicine cabinet to the bar. The word Caipirinha comes from caipira, a Brazilian Portuguese term referring to someone from the countryside (similar to “hillbilly” or “country bumpkin” in American English). The diminutive suffix -inha implies affection or smallness. Thus, the word Caipirinha roughly translates to “little country drink.” Today, it is an IBA Official Cocktail and legally protected by Brazilian law as a part of the country’s cultural heritage. The Caipirinha is the ultimate egalitarian cocktail. It is drunk in high-end steakhouses and beachside shacks alike. It has enough to start a party yet refreshing enough to cool you down on a humid afternoon.
WHY FINO JARANA WORKS SO WELL IN A CAIPIRINHA COCKTAIL
Lustau Fino Jarana is considered an excellent substitute for cachaça because it shares structural DNA that other spirits (like vodka or white rum) lack. Cachaça is famous for its funk (often called hogo). It has grassy, vegetal, and slightly fermented notes because it is made from fresh sugarcane juice. Fino is aged under a layer of yeast called “flor”. This gives it distinct yeasty, bready, and nutty notes. While the flavors are different (grass vs. bread), both ingredients provide a savory, complex backbone that cuts through the sugar. If you used vodka in place of cachaça, the drink would just taste like sweet lime juice. Fino, like cachaça, stands up to the aggressive lime and sugar flavor without getting lost.
Learn everything you know about fino below!
WHAT GLASS IS BEST TO SERVE A CAIPIRINHA COCKTAIL IN?
A Caipirinha is traditionally served in a rocks-style glass, which typically holds between 8 to 12 ounces (240–350ml). The Caipirinha is built in the glass, meaning the lime and sugar are crushed directly at the bottom. A Rocks glass has a heavy, thick base (the “sham”) that can withstand the pressure of a muddler without cracking. Using a delicate wine glass or a thin highball glass would be dangerous. The wide opening of a Rocks glass allows the drinker to experience the aromatic oils released from the lime peels. Since the drink is packed with lime chunks and ice, the wide rim also makes it easier to stir and sip around the fruit.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MAKE A SHERRY CAIPIRINHA COCKTAIL WITH LUSTAU FINO JARANA?
HOW TO PREPARE A SHERRY CAIPIRINHA WITH FINO AT HOME
1. Wash the lime and cut off the end. Slice the lime in half lengthwise, and remove the white pith from the center, as this adds bitterness. Slice the remaining fruit into wedges or cubes.
2. Place the lime wedges (pulp side up) and the sugar into a Rocks glass. Using a muddler, press and twist firmly.
3.Add Lustau Fino Jarana then fill the Rocks glass with ice.
4. Give the drink a thorough stir (or a “roll” if you have a shaker tin) to mix the heavy sugar syrup at the bottom with the sherry and ice.
5. Garnish with a Lime wheel or wedge
FAQ
1) Why use Lustau Fino Jarana instead of cachaça in a Caipirinha?
Substituting Lustau Fino Jarana for cachaça creates a lower-alcohol and more sophisticated alternative to the Brazilian classic. While a traditional Caipirinha is aggressive, grassy, and high-proof, using fino shifts the drink into a more savory, aperitivo territory.
Is a Caipirinha with Lustau Fino Jarana lower in alcohol than the classic version?
Yes, the ABV of a Sherry Caipirinha is much lower than the classic version. At 8.6% ABV, the Sherry Caipirinha is 13.8% lower in alcohol versus the classic.
Does fino sherry change the traditional flavor profile of a Caipirinha?
Yes, the flavor profile is different from a classic Caipirinha, but the drink functions the same way with fino. Fino is aged under a layer of yeast called “flor”. This gives it distinct yeasty, bready, and nutty notes. While the flavors are different both fino sherry and cachaça provide a savory, complex backbone that cuts through the sugar.
Should a Caipirinha with sherry be served over crushed or cubed ice?
You can use either crushed or cubed ice, although most tend to use cubed ice so the drink will dilute slower. However, crushed ice will make a colder cocktail so it really depends on how fast you plan on consuming the beverage.
