If you haven’t already experienced the sweet bliss of a Caipirinha (heeeeey kai-purr-reen-yah - ‘aight), I highly recommend it. I ordered my first one at a Brazilian steakhouse and it instantly became my new favorite cocktail!

It’s already a very easy to make at home with only three ingredients - limes, sugar and Brazilian cachaça rum (made from fermented sugarcane juice)…it’s so refreshing and so good.

The other day, I wanted to make a Caipirinha but we didn’t have any limes! That is when I discovered a shortcut that makes my favorite cocktail even easier to make, with only two ingredients.

What makes this shortcut Caipirinha possible is actually margarita mix - Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix to be exact. In addition to making a delicous ‘shortcut’ margarita, this one-step lime + agave mix is a tasty duplicate for the muddled lime + sugar in a Caipirinha. It’s also a real time saver if you want to make a party-sized batch of this delicious cocktail.

Some notes

• I found Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix at my local World Market, but it’s also available at liquor stores and places like Total Wine, Target, Walmart or in a pack of two on Amazon here.
• Cachaça rum is available at most liquor stores. I recommend starting with Pirassununga 51 Cachaça if you don’t already have a favorite brand.
• When we enjoy these outside (especially if we’re by the pool), I switch to using our unbreakable rocks glasses or unbreakable stemless wine glasses (with a little less ice). I love these because they’re safe for outdoors and have the look of real glass without the risk.

Okay, let’s do this!

Shortcut Caipirinha - serves 1

• 3 ounces Tres Agave margarita mix
• 2 ounces cachaça rum
• Optional garnish: lime wedge

Preparation - Pour the margarita mix and the rum into a rocks glass and stir well. Fill the glass to the rim with ice, stir again and garnish with lime wedge.

Shortcut batch Caipirinha - approximately 8 servings

I’ve made a batch of ‘traditional’ Caipirinhas before and it was fairly time consuming to prep and juice and muddle all of the limes required. This margarita mix shortcut is a real time saver if you want to whip up a quick and tasty batch.

• 1 (Ltr) bottle Tres Agave margarita mix
• 2 1/2 cups cachaça rum
• Optional garnish: 8 lime wedges (from 2 limes)

Preparation - Pour the margarita mix and the rum into a large beverage container or pitcher and stir well. When ready to drink, pour into rocks glasses filled to the rim with ice, stir again and garnish with lime wedge.

Traditional Caipirinha - serves 1

If you’ve never had a Caipirinha, make sure you try this! It’s strong and delicious.

• 1 lime (quartered)
• 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar (to taste)
• 2 ounces​ (1/4 cup) cachaça rum
• Optional garnish: lime wedge

Preparation - In a rocks glass, muddle the sugar with 3 lime wedges. Add the rum and stir to mix well. Fill the glass to the rim with ice, stir again and garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

I hope you try and love these Caipirinha recipies as much as I do.

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