caipirinha

Yield: one small pitcher of four servings

• 4 Tablespoons sugar
  
• 3 each Limes, cut into 8 wedges
  
• 8 jiggers cachaça
  
• Ice
  

Place the sugar and limes in the pitcher. Muddle or crush them with a pestle until the limes have given most of their juices. Add the ice and cachaça. Stir or shake and serve.

Note: A splash of seltzer or "Seven Up", though not traditional is sometimes requested by our guests.

batida de maracujar

Yield: one small pitcher or four servings

• 6 oz. Passion fruit juice
  
• ½ of a vanilla bean, split
  
• 8 oz. Coconut milk
  
• 8 jiggers cachaça
  
• Ice
  

Combine all ingredients in your pitcher and stir vigorously. I like to serve this in sugar-rimmed glasses garnished with fresh lime wedges.