Toast to Peru with Pisco Sours

One cannot mention cocktails in Peru without immediately thinking of the classic Pisco Sour, which is considered the country’s national drink. You’ll likely be offered various pre-dinner glasses during your time in Peru, and it's a taste you're sure to miss upon leaving.

One cannot mention cocktails in Peru without immediately thinking of the classic Pisco Sour, which is considered the country’s national drink. You’ll likely be offered various pre-dinner glasses during your time in Peru, and it's a taste you're sure to miss upon leaving.

Pisco is a clear grape brandy that takes its name from the Port of Pisco in Peru, and it’s the most famous product to hail from the country. The Pisco Sour cocktail was actually created in Lima in the 1916s, by American bartender and ex-part Victor Morris of Morris Bar. It’s prepared with Pisco, lime juice, egg white, and syrup.

What makes the cocktail unique is the egg white, which is traditionally shaken up but occasionally simply blended. It gives the drink an attractive foamy head and more body, making the cocktail almost sorbet-like. The Angostura bitters atop the drink are a creative finish as well, which adds complexity to the flavor.

If you have access to some good Peruvian or Chilean Pisco, you can make your own pisco sour at home. It won’t be exactly the same because of the difference in available lime varieties (the limes used in Peru and Chile are unique to the area).

Pisco Sour
1-1/2 ounces pisco
1/2 ounce key lime juice
1/2 ounce simple sugar syrup
Half an egg white
Angostura bitters for garnish

All of the ingredients except the bitters are vigorously shaken with ice in a metal tin, then strained into a chilled old-fashioned glass. Garnish with three drops of bitters.

Although you’ll see lots of creative modern variations on this classic cocktail, such as the coca sour, the pisco sour is undoubtedly the king of cocktails in Peru. It's the traditional way of starting dinner at Pirwa Restaurant in Cusco. As Peruvians like to say, “the first pisco is great, the second is better, and the third you can’t remember!’

Fecha de Publicación: 21/01/2015