Caipirinha Coffee Cocktail: Brazilian Coffee Cocktail Recipe

I’ve been fortunate to learn from many Brazilian friends, and one lesson I kept coming back to was their approach to cocktails. The caipirinha — Brazil’s national drink of lime, sugar and cachaça — quickly became a favorite, especially for poolside sipping.

This version keeps the caipirinha’s bright foundation but adds an espresso float, turning it into a brunch-ready cocktail. Lime and coffee might sound unusual together, but the citrus acidity softens coffee’s edge, producing a surprisingly smooth, balanced drink.

Ingredients

• Espresso – Two shots per cocktail. Substitute about 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee if desired.
• Fresh Lime Juice – Use freshly squeezed lime juice for bright, clean flavor; bottled juice can taste flat or altered by preservatives.
• Cane Sugar – Traditional caipirinhas use turbinado or cane sugar. Light brown sugar or simple syrup work as alternatives.
• Cachaça – The classic spirit for caipirinhas, made from sugarcane. If unavailable, dark rum is an acceptable substitute.

How To Make

A traditional caipirinha is prepared by muddling lime wedges with sugar until the sugar dissolves, then adding ice and cachaça. For this espresso twist, simplify by using freshly squeezed lime juice mixed with cane sugar (or simple syrup) and cachaça in the bottom of the glass.

Add ice, then gently pour the espresso over the top to create a layered float. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately so the espresso layer stays distinct until stirred.

Other Cocktail Recipes

• Cherry Limeade Cocktail
• Meyer Lemon Margarita
• Vitamin C Red Bull Cocktail

More Coffee Drinks

• Copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato
• Copycat Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew
• Sparkling Iced Coffee