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If you’re searching for a refreshing cocktail with a fruity twist, this cherry caipirinha is perfect. Juicy cherries pair wonderfully with fresh lime and rich dark rum or traditional Cachaça, offering a deliciously vibrant drink. This easy Brazilian-inspired cocktail is ideal for warm evenings or special gatherings, adding color and bold flavor to your celebration. Quick to prepare and bursting with fruity freshness, it’s sure to become a favorite when you’re craving something unique and tasty.
This cherry caipirinha blends fresh cherries, tangy lime and dark rum (or traditional Cachaça) into a refreshing, flavorful cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.
More refreshing treats you might enjoy include strawberry lime daiquiri, watermelon gin and tonic and Vietnamese boba ice cream coffee.
Why You’ll Love It
Quick and easy: No complicated techniques required.
Fresh and fruity: Bursting with cherries and lime.
Flexible ingredients: Works equally well with dark rum or Cachaça.
Perfect for entertaining: Easy to scale up for gatherings.
Cherry Lime Caipirinha Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Cherries: Fresh cherries, sliced and pitted, for natural sweetness and flavor.
Limes: Quartered and muddled to add tangy freshness.
Cherry syrup: Enhances sweetness and deepens cherry flavor.
Cachaça or dark rum: Brings rich, bold flavor and traditional authenticity. Cachaca is a distilled spirit made by fermenting the juice of sugarcanes. Outside of Brazil, it’s typically only used in cocktail recipes. Use dark rum if you can’t source any.
Club soda: Adds fizz and lightness.
Ice: Crushed, to keep the cocktail perfectly chilled.
How to Make Cherry Caipirinhas
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prep fruit: Slice cherries and remove pits, and then quarter fresh limes.
Muddle fruit: First muddle cherries, then add and muddle limes.
Add syrup and spirits: Pour cherry syrup and rum or Cachaça into the glass.
Fill and serve: Add crushed ice, top with club soda, and stir gently.
Substitutions and Variations
Different fruits: Swap cherries for strawberries or raspberries.
Spirits: Use vodka if you don’t have rum or Cachaça.
Sweetener: Substitute cherry syrup with grenadine or simple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
With savory snacks: Serve up Cajun shrimp deviled eggs, scallop skewers, mini bagel pizza bites, or Caprese stuffed avocadoes.
With a sweet treat: Enjoy a Brazilian style popsicle (with mint and lime!) alongside your cherry caipirinha.
How to Store Cherry Caipirinha
Store: This Brazilian cherry drink is best served freshly made but leftovers (without the ice) will keep for a few days in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: While I don’t see why this wouldn’t freeze, I haven’t tried it.
Top Tips
Use ripe cherries: They muddle easier and offer maximum sweetness.
Don’t over-muddle limes: Too much muddling makes the cocktail bitter.
Adjust sweetness: Taste and add extra syrup if liked.
Cherry Caipirinha FAQs
Make it up to a couple of days ahead if you want. Just make sure you give it a good shake before pouring and don’t add the ice until it’s time to serve the drinks.
It means ‘”country little girl”. The drink originated in the Sao Paolo countryside. One story has it that cachaça, honey, garlic and lime (not the most appealing-sounding summer cocktail combo!) was combined to fight the Spanish Flu. Another story is that sailors swapped rum for cachaça when they got to Brazil.
You get 3 choices usually when ordering a caipirinha in Brazil. The most economical is a “basic” made with cheap cachaça and that’s one of the country’s classic cocktails. Next is the “especial” made with a midrange cachaça. If you prefer to splurge, a “lux” version is made with a premium brand and a nice, heavy rocks glass.
Cherry Lime Caipirinha Recipe
Cherry Caipirinha
Equipment
- Muddler or Wooden Spoon
- Cocktail Spoon
Ingredients
- 20 cherries, fresh
- 6 lime wedges, fresh
- 2 Tablespoons cherry syrup
- 3 Ounces Cachaça or dark rum, omit for mocktails
- club soda
- ice , crushed
Instructions
- Slice the cherries and pluck out the pits and cut the limes into quarters.
- Add the cherries into each glass and muddle. Add the lime quarters and muddle.
- Divide the cherry syrup between 2 glasses.
- Add the Cachaça or dark rum to each one.
- Fill the glasses half-full with crushed ice, then top with club soda, stir well, and serve.
Notes
Don’t over-muddle limes: Too much muddling makes the cocktail bitter.
Adjust sweetness: Taste and add extra syrup if liked.
Nutrition
When you want a fruity, vibrant drink that’s easy to whip up, the cherry caipirinha hits all the right notes. With juicy cherries, fresh lime and your choice of dark rum or traditional Cachaça, each sip is full of flavor and it’s the best summer cocktail recipe for beating the heat. Serve it as a fruity addition to your next gathering or enjoy a glass when relaxing on a sunny afternoon. No matter the occasion, a cherry caipirinha always feels special and refreshing.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was so tasty! Love anything with cherries.
I love cherries! Never heard of this but it sounds so good.