The recipe
for your table
Muddle the lime wedges with the cane sugar in a sturdy glass.
Fill the glass with crushed ice.
Top up with ginger ale and stir gently from bottom to top.
Garnish with lime and a sprig of mint.
The story
While most mocktails are variations on existing drinks, the Ipanema has a status of its own in Brazil: it simply appears on the menu alongside the caipirinha, for drivers, athletes, and anyone who wants to enjoy the beach lifestyle sober. The name refers to the neighborhood and beach of Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro – world-famous thanks to the bossa nova classic The Girl from Ipanema. The international mocktail wave carried the drink around the world: drinking more consciously without sacrificing atmosphere is exactly what this Brazilian drink stands for.
The right glass
Like the caipirinha, the Ipanema is made in the glass, so choose a thick-walled tumbler or sturdy highball glass from 36 to 47 cl that can withstand muddling. Ginger ale fizzes vigorously, so a little more height than with the caipirinha is useful. Same glass, same look – only the next morning is different. You can find a thick-walled glass that can withstand muddling in our tumbler glasses.
Duralex Picardie Highball Glass 36 cl (6 pieces)
Onis Icon Highball Glass 47 cl (6 pieces)
Both sets — together € 56,90.
The right tools
For an Ipanema, besides the glass you use a bar spoon for stirring, a muddler, a jigger for precise measuring, and glass straws. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 4 bar tools — together € 80,75.
Variations & twists
Using ginger beer instead of ginger ale makes it spicier, while tonic makes it drier. Muddle in passion fruit or strawberry for an alcohol-free caipifruta experience. A sprig of mint and a generous lime garnish make it visually equal to any cocktail on the table. Looking for more inspiration? Browse more than 100 cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Try replacing the ginger ale with ginger beer for a spicier result, or with tonic for a drier, more grown-up version. Brown cane sugar gives a deeper, almost caramel-like sweetness.
Ipanema or caipirinha: the difference
The preparation is identical and the difference comes down to one ingredient. In a caipirinha, you muddle lime and cane sugar and top it up with 6 cl cachaça; in an Ipanema, you replace the cachaça with 12 cl ginger ale. This takes the drink from approximately 18 percent to 0.0 percent alcohol and changes the flavor from grassy and robust to fresh and lively. The muddling, crushed ice, glass and garnish remain exactly the same. At the table, the difference is therefore barely noticeable, which is precisely the point for many guests.
Ginger ale, ginger beer or tonic
Ginger ale is the standard: light, sweet and with a friendly ginger note. Ginger beer is brewed fuller and much spicier, giving the Ipanema more bite and bringing it closer to a Moscow Mule, so halve the cane sugar to one teaspoon. Tonic makes it drier and more bitter and is the best choice for guests who avoid sweet mocktails, but it does require a little more sugar to keep the lime in check. Pour all three in the same amount of 12 cl, ice-cold and gently down the side of the glass.
Muddling without a bitter aftertaste
Cut the lime into eight wedges and remove the white core in the middle, as this is where the most bitter part is. Then gently press the wedges with the muddler, about six to eight times, until the juice runs out and the oil is released from the peel. Keep pressing and do not grind, as finely crushed peel releases a sharp, bitter taste within a minute. The two teaspoons of cane sugar help as an abrasive. Use a thick-walled glass of 36 to 47 cl, as a thin glass will not survive this.
Make it in a pitcher for a group
Muddle each glass individually, but you can easily do the prep in advance. For ten people, juice five limes, mix the juice with twenty teaspoons of cane sugar until everything has dissolved, and store it covered in the refrigerator. Pour 4 cl of this mixture over crushed ice in each glass, top with 12 cl of ginger ale and garnish with a lime slice and a little mint. Allow for about one and a half liters of ginger ale for ten glasses. Since the drink is completely alcohol-free, everyone at the table can join in, from drivers to children.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make an Ipanema?
Muddle one lime, cut into wedges, with two teaspoons of cane sugar in a sturdy glass, fill the glass with crushed ice and top with 12 cl of ginger ale. Stir gently from the bottom upward and garnish with lime and mint. Use a thick-walled glass that can withstand muddling; see our highball glasses.
What is an Ipanema?
An Ipanema is a Brazilian mocktail made with muddled lime, cane sugar and ginger ale over crushed ice. In Brazil, it is simply listed on the menu alongside the caipirinha, for drivers and anyone who wants to join in while staying sober. The name refers to Ipanema beach and neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro.
What is the difference between an Ipanema and a caipirinha?
A caipirinha contains cachaça, but an Ipanema does not: ginger ale takes the place of the spirit. Otherwise, they are almost identical, right down to muddling lime with cane sugar in the glass. This makes the Ipanema slightly sweeter and longer, with a ginger tingle on the finish.
Is an Ipanema completely alcohol-free?
Yes, completely. Lime, cane sugar, ginger ale and ice contain no alcohol, so pregnant guests, drivers and children can enjoy it without worry. If you want to make it a little more grown-up, use tonic or ginger beer instead of ginger ale; they are drier and spicier, while still being 0.0 percent.
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