Tomato Basil Caipirinha is a light and refreshing Brazilian cocktail drink made from lime, basil, sugar, tomato juice, cachaça (rum/vodka), and ice. It’s quicker to prepare than a Bloody Mary or Michelada!
It’s Carnival time in Brazil! And this year we are celebrating with this light and refreshing Tomato Basil Caipirinha (Caipirinha de Tomate e Manjericão).
Because, honey, if you think caipirinhas are made only from lime, sugar, cachaça, and ice… then you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. It’s the Brazilian version of the famous Bloody Mary and the Mexican Michelada.
If you are a fan of these, you will love our flavorful caipirinha.
But let me tell ya, caipirinhas come in all kind of flavors: passion fruit, cashew fruit, kiwi, strawberry, and so on.
They are quite popular in the hot climate Brazil — not only during Carnival but all year long. Pretty much most bars and restaurants serve them in a variety of flavors.
Well, since I won’t be in Brazil celebrating Carnival this year (or any time soon), I will sip my Tomato Basil Caipirinha while listening to my favorite Carnival rhythms: frevo, axé, and samba!
I know, I know… when you think Carnival, Rio may come to mind.
But actually, one of the best places to celebrate Carnival is right in my own hometown, Recife. Galo da Madrugada is simply named in the ‘The Guinness Book of World Records’ as the biggest Carnival parade in the world (yes!!!).
It joins together more than 2.5 million participants — dressed in typical costumes and dancing frevo and other rhythms in the streets of downtown Recife, where gigantic dolls are displayed.
Carnival in Recife (by permission of Diário de Pernambuco).
During these festivities many beverages are consumed, including Brazilian limeade and caipirinhas of many flavors, such as Tomato Basil Caipirinha.
How to Prepare Tomato Basil Caipirinha
This Tomato Basil Caipirinha requires less ingredients and is quicker to prepare than a Bloody Mary or Michelada. That’s right!
All we have to do is place limes wedges, fresh basil leaves, and sugar into a 8-oz glass.
Macerate well with a muddler in order to extract the lime juice. Stir in tomato juice and cachaça (or white rum or vodka), and then fill the glass with ice.
As a final touch, you can serve it with a skewer of tomato and basil… and if desired, with a small fresh mozzarella cheese ball. Simple and quite DE-LI-CIOUS.
It’s an eat-and-drink cocktail!
So there’s no excuse for you not to experience a true Brazilian party… in your mouth! 🙂
Cheers to happiness!!!!
P.S.: A special thanks to Diário de Pernambuco for permitting me to use their gorgeous Carnival photo montage! (Obrigado, Diário de Pernambuco, por nos permitir usar a sua linda foto montagem neste artigo!)
TO PIN & ENJOY!
Tomato Basil Caipirinha
Ingredients
- 2 Lime wedges
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- 2-4 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup tomato juice (light or original), chilled
- 2-4 Tablespoons cachaça (white rum or vodka)
- Ice
Instructions
- Place limes wedges, fresh basil leaves, and sugar into a 8-oz glass.
- Macerate well with a muddler in order to extract the lime juice. Stir in tomato juice and cachaça (white rum or vodka), and then fill the glass with ice.
- As a final touch, you can serve it with a skewer of tomato and basil... and if desired, with a small fresh mozzarella cheese ball.
- A true eat-and-drink cocktail!
Recipe Notes
For a virgin version you can substitute sparkling water for the alcoholic beverage in the recipe above.
Natalie
hmmm I tried it and there is no doubt it tastes really delicious!!!
I really like simple recipes like this one. It makes me easier to make it xD
Denise Browning
Thank you Natalie! I am glad that you enjoyed it! Cheers!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
Wow Denise, this looks so beautiful and refreshing…perfect for the Summer days we are having now here in South Africa.
Denise Browning
Is it hot there now? If so, it is perfect for summer.
Raymund
The first time I had Caipirinha, I was surprised how good it was. Feels like a softdrink to me but it secretly kicks your brain out after you had a lot. This tomato basil version is something new, I bet it would be as awesome
Denise Browning
Whoa! Soft drink? I am able to drink one only of these otherwise I get drunk. May be because I have low resistance to alcohol (I don’t drink often). Unless they did not put enough cachaca in your caiiprinha. I am telling ya, a 60 ml shot of cachaca in a caipirinha (usually done in Brazil) is pretty strong. cachaca is a high alcohol spirit. Cheers to you!
John / Kitchen Riffs
2.5 million people is a LOT! Anyway, what a neat drink! And I happen to have some cachaça on hand, so I can make this. 🙂 Thanks so much.
Sugar et al.
What a beautiful presentation! It sounds so refreshing for summer. I could do with lots of them right now.