Skip to main content
Epicurious
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

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Apple-Walnut Charoset
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in March
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
One-Pan Herbed Chicken and Biscuits
Biscuits and gravy, but make it spring.
31 Easter Desserts, Each One Better Than a Chocolate Egg
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Essential Easter Recipes for Brunch, Dinner, and Dessert
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon
This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.