Frozen Caipirinha Recipes

FROZEN CAIPIRINHA

Steps:

• Cut each of the lime halves into four chunks. Put in a large mortar with the sugar and squish well with a pestle to break them down - they will release their juices, leaving you with a sweet lime syrup. Remove the lime peel, squeeze to release the last bits of juice, then discard. Transfer the lime syrup to a small plastic container and freeze for at least 4 hrs, ideally overnight.
• When you're ready to make the cocktail, put the ice in a blender suitable for crushing ice, then add the frozen syrup and cachaça. Blend at a high speed until smooth and thick. Transfer to cocktail glasses or tumblers and serve immediately.

FROZEN BASIL-MINT CAIPIRINHA

Steps:

• Remove 2 wide strips zest from the lime with a vegetable peeler; set aside. Cut the lime in half; thinly slice one half and cut the remaining half into 4 wedges for garnish.
• Bring 1/3 cup water and the sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat; add 1/2 cup each basil and mint and the lime slices and let cool completely.
• Transfer the herb syrup to a blender and blend until the herbs are finely chopped (the limes will still be mostly intact). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Freeze until slushy, about 2 hours.
• Combine the cachaça, limeade concentrate, lime zest, the remaining 1/2 cup each basil and mint and the frozen herb syrup in a blender. Add 5 cups ice and blend until thick and slushy; gradually add up to 1 more cup ice if needed. Pour into glasses and garnish each with a lime wedge.