The Caipirinha (pronounced kai-pe-REEN-ya) is a classic cocktail that was created by farmers in the 1800s in São Paolo, Brazil. It’s traditionally made by muddling lime wedges with simple syrup and mixing both with cachaça, a type of Brazilian rum made from sugarcane. Although most popular in South America, the recipe made its way to the United States during the rubber boom in the early 1900s when Americans often traveled to Brazil to tap rubber trees for the latex sap used in tire-making.
Cut lime into four wedges.
Add lime wedges pulp side up and simple syrup to a lowball glass.
Using a muddler, gently muddle lime wedges in simple syrup for 5-7 seconds.
Add cachaça to lowball glass.
Fill lowball glass with cracked ice.
Using a bar spoon, gently stir for 5-7 seconds.
Garnish with lime wheel.