Caipiroska (Brazilian)

The Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail. Prized for its bright, complex flavour, the drink is enjoyed all over the country and, increasingly, all over the world. Its popularity has spurred numerous variations, as barkeeps tweak the classic drink by adding fruits and liqueurs or subbing in different base spirits. That's the case with the Caipiroska. This simple take on the Caipirinha eschews the traditional cachaça in favour of vodka. The former is Brazil's national spirit. Similar to rum, cahcaça is distilled from the fermented juice of sugar cane and characterized by its funky, grassy flavour. Vodka, on the other hand, sports a lighter, straightforward profile that yields a lighter-tasting cocktail.

For the best results, legendary bartender and author Tony Abou-Ganim suggests making the fresh, citrusy Caipiroska with "a clean, neutral vodka with fruity, floral notes - something made from corn, wheat or mixed grain, something gentle." The Caipiroska isn't an obscure variation or merely a training-wheels version of the Caipirinha; it has gained traction in Brazil and neighboring South American countries, as more vodka brands enter the market and locals embrace the spirit. The prescribed build for the Caipiroska is precise and worth following. Muddle the limes with the sugar to extract the oils from the lime peels, and you'll enjoy a richer, tastier drink.

According to historians, the caipirinha was invented by landowning farmers in the region of Piracicaba, interior of the State of São Paulo during the 19th century as a local drink for 'high standard' events and parties, a reflection of the strong sugarcane culture in the region.

2 oz vodka
½ lime, cut into quarters
2 tsp. brown sugar

Garnish:
lime wedge or wheel

Muddle the lime quarters and the sugar in a rocks glass.

Once the juice has been released, pour in the vodka and the crushed ice, and stir.

Garnish with a lime wedge or a wheel.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Cook's Notes:

• METHOD: This drink is most commonly built in the glass, although some recipes go for a different method. The limes and the sugars muddled first in a glass and then added to a shaker together with vodka and ice. Everything is then shaken and poured directly into a glass in which the limes and the sugar were initially muddled.
• VARIATIONS: Brown sugar can be replaced with white sugar, in which case the caipiroska will be sweeter and clearer.