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Pomegranate Caipirinha

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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…

Pomegranate Caipirinha (Caipirinha de Romã)

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.

Pomegranate Caipirinha

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.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  

Thank you for continuously blessing me with your readership… xx

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Pomegranate Caipirinha

A refreshing Pomegranate Caipirinha to bring prosperity to the New Year!
Keyword caipirinha
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Author Denise Browning

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

  1. 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

To learn how to de-seed a pomegranate, please click here.

Pomegranate caipirinha

 

Pomegranate Caipirinha (Caipirinha de Romã)

 

Fireworks Image Credit: fabiofersa / 123RF Stock Photo

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Comments

  3. Liz

    December 29, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    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!

    Reply

  5. sallybr

    December 30, 2013 at 8:34 am

    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”

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      December 30, 2013 at 8:40 am

      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

      Reply

  18. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes

    January 2, 2014 at 4:49 am

    Caipirinha is hands down one of my favorite drinks, and I have it all the time. Adding pomegranates is the perfect idea Denise!

    Reply

  21. Gintare @Gourmantine

    January 7, 2014 at 5:24 am


    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 🙂

    Reply

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