Mango Caipiroska

It has been a busy week, I have worked 40 hours on top of going to University (I am currently studying to become a nurse) and it was hard to juggle both, let alone think of a social life. 

My long hours have meant I have missed a few of the world cup matches, thankfully I have caught glimpses of a few matches while some of my patients were watching it. I rushed home yesterday to catch the second half of the England match (they have a special place in my heart) and was so nervous watching it, almost as nervous when Brazil plays, but they disappointed me when they lost yesterday.
But on a brighter note our Seleção has kept their momentum and I can’t wait for our game on Monday.
This Caipiroska is the perfect drink for this coming week, not only because of its glorious colours (!) and I am so excited to tell you guys about it! Caipiroska is a vodka version of Caipirinha. For those who don’t know what Caipirinha is, it is one of Brazil’s biggest exports and my favourite drink. It is kinda like a Mojito but better (sorry, Cuba).

It is made with Cachaça, a liquor made from sugar cane, which it is not sold in major supermarkets in the UK, only specialist shops, and I have been left at home without it since my sister took the only bottle my parents had in the house to a party in Cambridge. So vodka is a good substitute and it is widely used in Brazil to make the drink too as a second best, and the change in ingredient changes the name from –inha to -oska. I know, it makes no sense, but it tastes good. 

The traditional version only takes lime and sugar, but I added fresh mango juice to this one and it is a beautiful drink to accompany all them snacks we love so much.

Mango Caipiroska
4 mint leaves
1 lime
30ml vodka
1 mango
4 tbsp sugar
Ice cubes
1. Puree mango in a blender with the vodka. Use a sieve to get rid of any lumps
2. Cut a few thin slices of lime and squeeze the juice into the glass and muddle it with the mint leaves and sugar.
3. Add a few ice cubes and pour mango mixture on top. Garnish with mint leaves and slices of lime.