Recipe: Blackberry Caipirinha

By Khalil Hymore

The mellifluous caipirinha, Brazil's national drink, is often prepared using whichever fruit happens to be in season, making it an extremely versatile cocktail. I like to make mine with fresh summer blackberries because they blend wonderfully with the tart limes and the sweet sugar. To make a traditional caipirinha, simply leave out the blackberries and double the amount of lime wedges. Beware: These drinks are potent! Blackberry Caipirinha
Makes 2 servings

• 12 blackberries
• 1/2 lime, sliced into 4 wedges
• 2 tablespoons muscovado sugar, or good quality brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) good quality cachaça

1. Divide the blackberries, lime wedges, and sugar evenly between 2 rocks glasses. Using a muddler, or the back of a wooden spoon, crush the fruit until the juices have been released and the sugar starts to dissolve.

2. Fill the glasses to the top with ice, add 2 ounces of cachaça to each, and stir. If desired, garnish each glass with a few whole blackberries or a lime wedge.