Crushed lime wedges and cane sugar give this drink the same tart, rustic freshness as a Caipirinha. Passion fruit adds a tropical note, and ginger ale brings fizz and a light spice instead of alcohol.
1
lime cut into eighths, ends removed
2 bar spoon
raw cane sugar white or light brown cane sugar
1¼ oz
passion fruit juice
top up with
ginger ale about 80 ml
Garnish: Lime wedge · Ice: Crushed ice
Ipanema
Tart lime and sweet, tropical passion fruit, with the gentle spice and bubbles of ginger ale. Refreshing and not too sweet.
The Ipanema is named after the famous beach district of Rio de Janeiro, and it borrows its method from Brazil's national cocktail, the Caipirinha: lime and sugar crushed directly in the glass, then filled with crushed ice. Instead of cachaça it relies on passion fruit juice and ginger ale.
It is best known in German-speaking countries, where it has been a fixture on alcohol-free drink menus for decades, often listed as the driver's alternative to the Caipirinha. Its exact origin is not documented. What makes it work is the muddled lime: the oils from the peel give the drink an aroma that plain lime juice cannot match.
Yes. It contains only lime, sugar, juice and ginger ale.
Yes. Light brown cane sugar gives a slight caramel note; white cane sugar keeps the taste cleaner.
A sturdy double rocks glass, since you muddle directly in it.
The perfect sound
Passion fruit and a Rio beach at sunset.
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