Blackberry Caipirinha

I first tried this drink in Jyväskylä, Finland, with my friend Alla.  Funny, really, because it’s actually from Brazil.  I imagine it’s just as refreshing though, no matter where you are in the world. 

My visit to Finland seems like a lifetime ago now, and an entire world away.  Alla was gracious enough to invite me for a week to her land of the midnight sun.  And it truly was a midnight sun – I remember one night in particular, staggering out of a bar at 4 in the morning with the sun shining bright overhead – a confusing and unmistakably delightful memory.  

Alla introduced me to wonderful, foreign things like cucumber and Munster toasts, Finnish sauna, and her family’s summer cottage.   We had such a blast.  I wish I could do it all over again.  One of my favorite memories of Finland though, is how Alla tried to teach me to say “Hooray, Finland!” so that when my plane landed in Helsinki, I could shout it out.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t pronounce it correctly, and it came out “Whore!  Finland!”  My apologies to the shy, Finnish men and women on the plane.  Kiitos, Alla, for the unforgettable visit!  

 Alla and me outside of our apartments in Albi, France.

I’ve tried to order a Caipirinha many times in the U.S., but it’s hard to find.  So, I bought a bottle of Cachaça and made my own version.  A Caipirinha is normally made from lime, muddled with raw sugar and topped with rum.  My version adds some fizz and blackberries for color.  Try to find Ypioca rum – it’s the best.  

Cachaça Rum (Ypioca is best)

Lime

Sugar

Lemon lime soda

Blackberries

In a martini shaker, muddle together half of a lime with 1 T of sugar and 3 blackberries.  Add two measures of Cachaça and shake to combine.  Strain and pour into a glass of ice and top with lemon lime soda.  Garnish with a lime wedge.  

The view from Alla's summer cottage.

 Me, all ready for the wilderness outside Alla's summer cottage.