The caipirinha comes from Brazil, and its story goes back more than a century. The most common tale says it began as a home remedy; people mixed lime, garlic, honey and cachaça to treat colds. Over time, the garlic and honey vanished, the sugar stayed, and the mixture turned into a drink people enjoyed for pleasure rather than medicine. It eventually became the country’s national cocktail and spread across the world. A classic caipirinha is hard to beat, but the drink adapts well if you want to play around. If you want something lighter, you can switch the cachaça for vodka. That technically turns it into a caipiroska, which has the same sharp kick from the lime but a cleaner overall taste.

Ingredients

• 2 limes chopped into wedges, plus extra lime wedges to serve
• 5 tablespoons golden caster sugar
• 200 ml cachaça
• Crushed ice

Method

1. Place the lime wedges in a large jug. Add the sugar.

2. Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to break down the lime. Work until the juice runs and mixes with the sugar. The mixture will turn into a thick syrup. Remove the squeezed peel once you have enough liquid.

3. Divide the lime syrup between four glasses. Pour in the cachaça. Stir gently to combine.

4. Fill each glass with crushed ice. Add a lime wedge.