Cherry Caipiroska is a vodka cocktail made with fresh cherries and limes. Ready in 10 minutes, it screams to be made while the fruit is in season!
A fruity vodka cocktail
It was not until my thirties that I became interested in red wine and fruit cocktails. I didn't make up for lost time, but let's say I became an expert at making a few favorite cocktails.
What is Caipiroska?
This cocktail contains vodka and is originally made with limes, sugar, and ice, similar to a margarita. It's like a Brazilian caipirinha, but made with vodka, and is very popular in some Latin American countries. It is a unique cocktail that I personally love.
Modern versions include other fruits and interesting combinations like the strawberry passionfruit caipirinha.
How to make cherry caipiroska
- Put sugar and pitted chopped cherries lime and sugar in the glasses where you want to serve the drink (images 1 and 2).
- With a muddler (a bartender tool used to mash or muddle fruit, similar to the pestle) mash the fruit and sugar. It will start to release juices and become soupy (image 3). In the image above I am using a pestle (from the mortar) because I had no muddler. Shame on me! (you can insert whatever embarrassing emoji you want)
- Add vodka and ice (image 4).
- Drink before it waters down too much.
The main part of a cherry caipiroska is the muddling (a new word I learned from fellow blogger Liz, a recent caipirinha lover!) of the limes with the sugar.
What is muddling
It means that you put the lime wedges and the sugar in the bottom of the glass, and, with the right gadget, a muddler (not the pestle I borrowed from my mortar), you crush both together slowly and decisively until they become best friends and you can't tell one from the other, sort of.
This will bring out the oils in the lime peel and is essential for the cocktail. And no, adding lime juice and zest is not the same thing. You have to muddle.
In this case, cherries were thrown into the party too.
Then you add ice, almost filling the glass, and then the vodka. And then you need something to stir, like a cocktail straw. Or a wooden spoon, like I did here. So you stir until it's all purple and mixed (images below).
The ice
Now. About the ice and the vodka.
You need medium ice cubes.
If you add very crushed ice, it will dissolve in a mere minute because the rest of the ingredients in the glass are at room temperature, and your drink will be watered down too fast.
If you add big rocks of ice, you'll have to stir for five minutes first, before starting to sip it. And you might drink almost straight vodka instead of the caipiroska we're aiming for here.
Kitchen Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Cherries: choose sweet and flavorful fruit. You can also add some fresh mint and muddle it with the cherries.
- Ice: I use regular ice from my home freezer. But if you have access to larger, more professional ice cubes, so much the better. They last longer, so the drink takes longer to water down.
- Glasses: use glasses that can hold everything and have a flat base. You need them to muddle without breaking (seriously, it almost happened to me once). Don't use martini glasses, for example.
- Fruit: you can use other fruits, but sweet in-season cherries are wonderful. Be careful not to add too much. Test it with one drink. You should taste both the fruits and the liquor. If you use too much fruit you won't have enough space for the ice and the balance will not be right. I have made it with strawberries and passion fruit too. It is fabulous.
- Personal taste: adjust sugar, ice, and vodka to your taste. Use that ratio as a guide no matter what fruit you use.
- Sweetener: you can use simple syrup instead of sugar. To make it, simply heat the same amount of sugar and water (½ cup of each for example), and when it comes to a boil remove it from the heat. Let cool completely and keep refrigerated.
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Cherry Caipiroska (vodka cocktail)
Ingredients
- 12 to 14 fresh cherries, pitted and choppped
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 lime, cut into 6 wedges
- 4 ounces of Vodka
- Ice, medium-sized rocks
- Fresh mint, to serve
- Cocktail straws, to serve
Instructions
- Divide 12 to 14 chopped cherries and 4 tablespoons sugar between two glasses.
- Add 2 lime wedges to each, (and mint if using) and, with a muddler, start crushing the fruit with the sugar, until it becomes syrupy. Do this slowly and take your time. It's the base of the drink.
- Add ice to almost fill the glass, and then pour about 2 ounces of vodka into each glass.
- Stir, decorate with a mint sprig or lime wedge, and serve.
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
Fresh fruits and herbs muddled in a drink as just plain awesome! These look great and I can't wait for the cherry season up here to really pick up. Yum!
Laura Dembowski says
I think I need you to teach me how to loosen up and have fun! Perhaps these cocktails are a great way to start, as I love vodka and cherries.
Liz Berg says
Whew. I finally made it down the huge list of Sunday Supper dishes to the one I really, really wanted to see! Your caipiroskas are truly gorgeous...and perfectly timed as the sweet cherries in the market are phenomenal! Thanks for sharing this twist on the caipirinha. And so happy I taught you a new term...but it looks like your pestle worked perfectly 🙂
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I'm willing to get really sloppy drunk...because I need at least a few of these.
Deb says
Oh let me muddle away with you! Cherries, lime, mint just divine Paula!
Cocoa and Lavender says
As you know from my last post, I really love a good cocktail. Something that is pleasant, sip-worthy, and flavorful. I love that this uses fresh cherries and promise to make one soon. This did remind me of the time Mark and I were in New York City about 15 years ago and searched everywhere for a caipirinha! No luck until we found a small, hole-in-the-wall Brazilian restaurant. It was a revelation. We then sought cachaça, and it took several years to find it. Now it is easier but we still love them! And mojitos, too! ~ David
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
Am I allowed this…even though it's waayyy before 5:00! ;} Looks sensational, Paula! Enjoy your Sunday!
Tara says
We had company last night and I made a cherry fizz cocktail that had lime in it also. I am surprised how nicely the lime and cherry flavors go so well together. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious says
I'm with Conni, I think you introduced me to my next cocktail!
Conni Foodiearmywife Dahl Smith says
I've found my next cocktail!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Paula,
OMG, you are hilarious. . you put a photo of Droopy the dog. . love it! and love that you shared your evolution over the years. . and how you burst into full bloom (not silly at all!) I'm glad you became empowered after your divorce and not the other way around. . divorce is a very hard thing and I've seen it up close too many times. . I also was a late bloomer with the alcohol and was never the crazy, drunken teenager or even in college. . didn't start drinking until after I graduated and never (and still don't really, although I do want to bake with it) acquired the taste for beer. . but give me a nice glass of wine (white or red) and I'm a happy girl. 🙂 Love your cocktail!!! it's gorgeous. . and who cares if you don't have the right tools. . you are resourceful!
Helene Dsouza says
I don't like caipirinha so much and I think that's because we don't get the authentic ingredients that you guys have in south america. So how about that... you make me a caipirinha and a caipiroska vodka cocktail and send it over please. =D
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Ah, the discovery of booze and all of it's glory... ;P. Any cocktail with my favorite fruit (summer cherries!) is good in my book. I have to give these a try very soon, Paula!
Renee says
Wouldn't you know I have fresh cherries, limes, and vodka on hand. I see what beverage I'm making this afternoon (and many more times to come).
mireia badia says
Me encantan tus narraciones, y menuda pinta!!!! La vida a veces nos lleva por momentos dificiles para que sepamos apreciar mejor los que están por venir verdad?? Tu desde luego que aprovechas cada momento!!!
GK Adams (The Life I Live...) says
Sounds so refreshing!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Nice, simple cocktail!! Perfect for lounging around the pool!
Jeannie Tay says
I could do with a glass of that lovely creation of yours Paula, cheers! and bottoms up:D
Terra says
My friend was looking at this name of this cocktail, and trying to say it properly. I just want to devour that whole glass of this lovely cocktail. I need to find Cachaca now, it does sound delicious for sure! Yum, Hugs, Terra
The Ninja Baker says
So sophisticated, Paula. Must say the cherry lime combo sounds good to this Ninja Baker who seems to only bake with liquor or take a sip of champagne at weddings =)
P.s. In addition to your culinary and cocktail skills, you are so strong, Paula. I admire the joie de vivre and pick yourself up by the bootstraps you adopted after your separation.