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Bon Appétit

Christmas Caipirinhas

By Bruce Aidells

4.9

(17)

Image may contain Drink Cocktail Alcohol Beverage Plant Mojito Glass Vase Pottery Jar Lemonade and Potted Plant
Christmas CaipirinhasDan Forbes

Inspired by Brazil's national cocktail, this large-format riff on the classic Caipirinha mixes in warming fresh ginger, sprightly ginger beer, and cooling mint.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 10 drinks

Ingredients

Peel from 4 large limes (green part only; removed with vegetable peeler in 2-inch-long strips)
1 cup fresh lime juice
8 1/4-inch-thick slices peeled fresh ginger
1/4 cup sugar
30 large fresh mint leaves plus 10 fresh mint sprigs for garnish
1 cup Brazilian rum (such as cachaça)
3 cups ice cubes plus additional for serving
5 cups ginger beer or ginger ale

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine lime peel, lime juice, ginger, sugar, and 30 mint leaves in mortar or medium bowl. Using pestle, muddler, or handle of wooden spoon, crush lime peel, ginger, and mint leaves together. Transfer mixture to large pitcher. Stir in rum. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

    Step 2

    Add 3 cups ice cubes to lime mixture in pitcher and stir to blend. Stir in ginger beer. Fill 10 cocktail glasses with ice cubes. Strain or pour cocktail mixture into prepared glasses. Garnish each drink with mint sprig.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesRumBrazilianSouth AmericanLatin AmericanLimeCitrusFruitGingerHerbs & SpicesChristmasWinterBon Appétit

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