The Caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil and one of my all-time favourite tipples. I’ve enjoyed this drink many times when visiting Rio de Janeiro, including the trip where Jack and I got engaged, and I love being able to relive the taste of this cocktail at home.

A caipirinha cocktail is typically made with cachaça (a sugarcane spirit very popular in Brazil), plus lime and sugar. This recipe takes a fruity twist on the classic by using kiwi instead of lime. A refreshing fruit cocktail, perfect for a summer barbecue!

Ingredients

To make 2 kiwi caipirinhas in a cocktail shaker:

• 70 ml cachaça (we substituted this for vodka, but rum or gin would also work well)
• 2 x kiwi fruit
• 4 tsp caster sugar
• Ice cubes (or crushed ice)

Method

1. Carefully remove the skins of the kiwi and thinly slice. Put aside 2 slices of kiwi for the garnish.
2. Blend the kiwi using a hand blender or crush in a cocktail shaker using the end of a rolling pin until there are no large lumps remaining.
3. Add the sugar and mix with the kiwi.
4. Loosely fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes (or crushed ice if you prefer a slushier texture).
5. Add your spirit of choice.
6. Shake it up and then serve in a glass tumbler.
7. Garnish with the slices of kiwi and enjoy your kiwi caipirinha cocktail. Cheers!