The main ingredient in a Caipirinha is the Brazilian Cachaça. It was first made in the 1500s and is closely related to rum but instead of being distilled from molasses, like most rums, it is distilled from fermented juice of sugar cane giving it its distinct grassy flavor.

The Caipirinha was probably invented by landowning and sugarcane producing farmers from the countryside around São Paulo. During the Spanish flu Cachaça was mixed with garlic, lime and honey as a remedy. The drink made its way to the port city of Santos where it got its name Caipirinha, roughly translated to “little country girl”. Over the years the garlic was omitted and honey was exchanged for sugar. The modern day Caipirinha was born.

Another possible origin is that sailors mixed rum with lime to stave off scurvy and when arriving in Brazil they started using Cachaça instead of rum.

The glass, called Prestige, was designed by Eva Zeisel in 1954.

Product information

This is one in a series of illustrations of classic cocktail recipes with a selection of the most beautifully designed glasses.

The size 40x50 cm (approx 16x20”) are signed and printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Bright White 310g archival paper and are sold in a limited edition of 50 prints.

The size 30x40 cm (approx 12x16”) are printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art Studio Enhanced 210g archival paper.