Ingredients

  • 2 ozbrandy(aguardente de medronho if available)
  • 1 wholelime(cut into wedges)
  • 2 teaspoonswhite sugar

🔧 Tools

muddlerbar spoon

Instructions

  1. Cut lime into wedges and place in a rocks glass.
  2. Add sugar.
  3. Muddle firmly to extract lime juice and oils.
  4. Add aguardente de medronho (or substitute brandy/cachaça).
  5. Fill with crushed ice.
  6. Stir to combine and chill.
  7. Garnish with an additional lime wedge.

📜 History

When Brazilian caipirinha became globally popular, Portuguese bartenders naturally created a local version using aguardente de medronho, a spirit distilled from the fruit of the strawberry tree (medronheiro) native to Portugal's Algarve region. This adaptation showcases Portugal's own sugarcane-alternative spirit while maintaining the refreshing muddled citrus-and-sugar format that made the original famous.

#portuguese#caipirinha#medronho#citrus#summer#refreshing#algarve