Hummin’ and hummin’… A famous traditional Brazilian New Year’s song is definitely on my mind — and on my lips. “Farewell Old Year, Happy New Year! May everything that is good come true in the new year…” What is also on my mind (and lips) is not a classic caipirinha… but a pomegranate caipirinha! I hope this cheers your spirit…
As I explained in both our New Year’s Champagne Cocktail and Lentil and Beef Soup posts from last year, Brazilians are superstitious and love to incorporate good luck rituals into their New Year celebration (réveillon). Well, this time around, instead of champagne I have used caipirinha — Brazil’s national cocktail drink — as the base for our current drink. And instead of lentils, I have chosen pomegranate. Why?
Although pomegranate is an ancient fruit originating in the vicinity of Iran, it was introduced into Brazil by Portuguese settlers centuries ago. The state of São Paulo is its largest producer in Brazil. As the fruit has numerous seeds, tradition links it with prosperity.
In fact, there is a good luck ritual (simpatia) that calls for one to eat the pulp of seven pomegranate seeds and afterwards to store the dry seeds in one’s wallet in order to attract wealth. 🙂 If it doesn’t work, you will at least have a delicious and refreshing pomegranate caipirinha to drink and share with friends– in addition to all of pomegranate’s associated health benefits such as reduction of LDL and a rich concentration of vitamins A and B, which protect vision and strengthen the immune system.
Well, pomegranate has also appeared in biblical texts where it is associated with passion and fertility. The Greeks considered it as a symbol of love and fertility… The pomegranate was considered sacred to the goddess Aphrodite, as much credence was placed in its aphrodisiac powers. For Jews, the pomegranate is a religious symbol with deep meaning in the ritual of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) when it is always wished that the coming year will be better than the last.
As this year fades away, we welcome 2014 with a pomegranate caipirinha, wishing in a brand new year…. A time filled with many blessings such as prosperity, health, peace, and many, many others.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Thank you for continuously blessing me with your readership… xx
Pomegranate Caipirinha
Ingredients
- 1/2 lime cut into 4 wedges
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- crushed ice
- 3 tablespoons cachaça or club soda for a virgin caipirinha
- Note: Cachaça is available at most local liquor stores. It can be substituted by white rum (or vodka, if desired).
Instructions
- Place pomegranate seeds and lime wedges into a short, wide glass. Sprinkle sugar on top of the fruits. Mash the ingredients together using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. Fill the glass with crushed ice and stir in the cachaça. Cheers!
Recipe Notes
Pomegranate caipirinha
Fireworks Image Credit: fabiofersa / 123RF Stock Photo
Dedy@Dentist Chef says
Wow, light and refreshing drink!!!!
Happy New Year Denise……
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Dedy! Likewise!!!!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I love a good caipirinha! And with pomegranate? Sounds totally wonderful. Great drink, and Happy New Year!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, John! Wishing you a very happy 2014!
Liz says
What a gorgeous and delicious way to usher in the new year! And now I have another recipe for my nearly full bottle of cachaça Happy New Year to you and yours, Denise!
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot, Liz! Happy New Year to you and your family as well…
shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
My mom practices a lot of New Year rituals too – so the story behind the pomegranate seeds is very interesting for me – thanks for sharing the info and this recipe!
Happy New Year Denise!
Denise Browning says
I am not superstitious but my people is… 🙂 Wishing you a very happy 2014, Shashi!!! Thanks for having stopped by.
sallybr says
Amazing, did you know I had no idea of this pomegranate ritual? What a lousy Brazilian i am!
in my family we had to swallow a big spoonful of lentil soup – I hated it growing up…
Happy New Year! Looking forward to more and more of “From Brazil to You”
Denise Browning says
Sally: Thanks a lot! I am not doing rituals on reveillon because I do not believe in them but I had to inform my readers about them… 🙂 Well, wishing you and Phil a very happy 2014…May everything that is good come to you!!! xx
Little Cooking Tips says
Best wishes for the New Year Denise! May you and your family have a happy, succesful and above all healthy New Year!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, LCT, for your valuable support! May the New Year bring you and your family everything that is good…
Jean | Lemons & Anchovies says
I’m with Liz. What a gorgeous and tasty way to ring in the new year. Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful 2014!
Denise Browning says
Thanks so much, Jean! Wishing you and your family a New Year filled with many, many blessings…
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Happy new Year Denise..!!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nydia! Wishing you and your family a very happy 2014!
Deb says
Happy New Year Denise! What a charming drink to welcome the new year!
Denise Browning says
Thanks a ton, Deb! Wishing you a new year filled with many blessings…
The Café Sucre Farine says
What a fun, delicious and beautiful drink Denise. Wishing you a happy and blessed New Year!
Denise Browning says
May 2014 bring you all that is wonderful, Chris! Thanks for stopping by!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
So interesting to learn about pomegranates being part of New Year’s traditions. Your cocktail sounds delicious. Wishing you all the best in the New year.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Karen! May your New Year bring you the best!
Coffee and Crumpets says
Happy New Year Denise! May 2014 bring you prosperity, happiness and much joy!
Denise Browning says
Thank you , my friend! The warmest wishes for a marvelous 2014 to you and your family. xx
Jodee Weiland says
This drink looks fabulous! Happy New Year my friend!
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot, Jodee!!! Wishing you a new year filled with blessings…
Jodee Weiland says
You, too, my friend,…you, too! I love the new site design…great look!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Happy New Year, you sweet, sweet woman! This drink almost screams Happy New Year, doesn’t it? The color and I’m sure the taste would get everyone prepped for the best year ever.
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot, Maureen! Wishing you and your family an amazing year!!!! xx
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This drink is so pretty and looks delicious, too! Perfect for a celebration. Happy New Year!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Amy! May your new year be a wonderful one…
Kumar's Kitchen says
PERFECT CAIPIRINHA FOR WELCOMING NEW YEAR……HAVE A VERY VERY HAPPY & JOY FILLED NEW YEAR 2014!!! 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Kumar! Wishing you a new year filled with many blessings!!!!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Cheers to a beautiful and colorful 2014!! Happy NEW YEARS My DEAR!!
Hope you are having a great holiday and this drink looks gorgeous. lovely pictures. Hugs to your little girls.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, my dear Ash! May your 2014 be a wonderful year for both you and your family… Hugs!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
Caipirinha is hands down one of my favorite drinks, and I have it all the time. Adding pomegranates is the perfect idea Denise!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Paula! Wishing you a very happy 2014!!!!
Sugar et al says
Happy New Year Denise! What a colourful way of bidding farewell to the year. Beautiful and loved reading about the ritual too.
Denise Browning says
For you and your family as well. Thanks so much for the beautiful message sent to my Fb. xx
Raymund says
Nice drink to start the year
Happy New Year! May you have more success this year on your blog 🙂
Denise Browning says
Hi, Raymund! Thanks…Wishing you a marvelous year!
Gintare @Gourmantine says
I have the best memories drinking caipirinha on a holiday in Brazil years ago, but with pomegranates it should be even better. Happy New Year to you 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Gintare! It is good to know that you enjoyed Brazil. May your new year be a marvelous one!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I hope you had a wonderful holiday, Denise, and Happy New Year to you and your family! This is a gorgeous drink – I especially love the color!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nami! I had a great holiday…I hope yours in NYC was fabulous!