Peru is popular for its delicious and diverse cuisines. It is not surprising that the country offers super tempting drinks. Try a wide variety of beverages during your trip to Peru. From ancient concoctions to national cocktails, there are lots of Peruvian drinks that will tickle your fancy. The country offers an array of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks that are super enticing. Peru drinks reflect the history, customs, and unique ingredients. You will have fun by tasting these drinks, and it also makes you understand the country and its people better. Let’s have a quick look at unique Peruvian drinks which allow you to taste a local flavor.
Caspiroleta
Drinking a hot alcoholic beverage is the best way to spend winters in Peru. Caspiroleta is a popular refreshing hot alcoholic drink. The ingredients include sugar (2 tablespoons or to taste), cinnamon sticks (2), whole milk (two cups), egg separated and egg yolk (1 each), Pisco (2 ounces or to taste), vanilla essence (1 tablespoon), a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Recipe
- Add milk, sugar and cinnamon sticks in a Boil the mix over medium flame.
- Take the egg white and beat until foamy.
- Add the egg yolk and pour the boiling milk mixture over the beating eggs.
- Stir slowly and add vanilla and Pisco.
- Serve the drink in cups, sprinkle some ground cinnamon and serve.
Algarrobina
If you are fond of creamier and slightly sweeter drink then Algarrobina is all you need. It is better known to be a girl drink, but the right amount of alcohol gets you buzzed. The ingredients used in this drink are Pisco (3 oz.), Algarrobina syrup (2½ oz. carob or mesquite), evaporated milk (2 oz.), egg yolk(one), ice cubes(4) and a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Recipe
- Place all the ingredients in a mixer blender except the ground cinnamon.
- Blend for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon and serve.
Pisco sour
Pisco sour can be prepared in different ways. Here is the basic recipe as it is better to know the fundamentals before trying different ways. The ingredients include Pisco (2 ounces), sugar syrup (1 ounce), lime juice (3/4 ounce), egg white (1), Angostura bitters (2-3 dashes).
Recipe
- Mix the egg white, sugar syrup, and Pisco in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well. Use a blender to mix the ingredients.
- Use old-fashioned glass to strain the drink and add some angostura bitters on the foam top.
Chilcano
This elegant and simple cocktail is the best way to drink the national liquor in Peru. The drink comes from a traditional Italian cocktail in which grappa was substituted for Pisco. The chilcano is a refreshing and light drink that is good for curing hangover as well as the best mate to accompany on the dance floor or at any activity of your imagination. The ingredients include Pisco (2 oz.), lime juice and Ginger Ale (1 ½ oz.), Angostura bitters (2 dashes).
Recipe
- Pour Pisco and lime juice in an ice-filled highball glass.
- Add ginger Ale and bitters
- Use lime twist for garnishing.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the iconic site in Peru, and the cocktail is named after the same. This is a colorful drink which is motivated by the flag colors of Tawantinsuyo. Green signifies harmony with nature, yellow for the sun, and red represents action and vitality. The ingredients include grenadine syrup (1 oz.), orange juice (3 oz), green creme de menthe (1 dash), pisco(11/2 oz), maraschino cherry (1) and ice cubes (5).
Recipe
- The recipe requires extensive care to make three layers with three different flavors. First, add grenadine syrup with three or four ice cubes into a fluted glass.
- Now add three ounces of orange juice.
- Prepare pisco and crème de menthe separately and slowly add this mix on the top with the help of bar spoon.
Piscopolitan
This classic cocktail is easy to make at home. The drink is perfect for celebrating New Year Eve. Ingredients include Pisco Quebranta. (2 oz.), lemon juice (1¼ oz), cranberry juice (1¼ oz.), Cointreau (¾ oz.), Maraschino cherry and lemon slice (1).
Recipe
- Mix the cranberry juice, Cointreau, pisco, lemon juice and ice cubes in a shaker.
- Shake well and serve in the chilled glass without ice cubes, garnish the drink with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.
Capitán
This is similar to the Manhattan cocktail and has the pervasive story of its origin. In the 1920s the army captains in the Sierra of Puno made nightly rounds, and they sought out favorite tipple of vermouth and pisco. The ingredients are pisco (2 oz), sweet vermouth (equal or as your preference), Angostura bitters (few dashes), lemon twist or maraschino cherry.
Recipe
- Mix pisco and sweet vermouth in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass and add Angostura bitters.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry.
Pisco Punch
Pisco is the national spirit of Peru that is used to make varieties of cocktails. The exciting and sharp taste resembles with apple that is not so sweet. It smells grapes and has a nice aftertaste. Pisco punch is a flavorful drink that combines pisco (2oz), fresh lemon juice (1/2 oz), pineapple syrup (3/4oz), orange bitters(1 dash) and an orange twist.
Recipe
Pour all the given ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add some ice and shake well for 15 seconds. Double strain the drink into a cocktail glass filled with ice cubes and use orange twist for garnishing.
Cholopolitan
Peruvian bartender Hans Hilsburg invented the exotic cocktail in Lima in 2000. This is somewhat similar to a classic cosmopolitan cocktail, but here pisco replaces vodka. The ingredients include pisco (1 1⁄2 oz), Triple sec (1 oz), cranberry juice(1⁄2 oz), lime juice(1 dash) and passion fruit juice(1/2 oz).
Recipe
- Pour the given ingredients into a shaker.
- Shake thoroughly and strain the drink into a martini
- Use lime wheel for garnishing.
Peru Libre
This drink is incredibly simple and quick to try. The cocktail is a mix of pisco and coca-cola. Any soft drink can be used, such as tonic, sprite, or ginger ale. The ratio of pisco and a soft drink can be 1:3 or 1:1.
Recipe
- Add Peruvian pisco and cola in the given ratio.
- Pour the tempting cocktail into a glass and garnish with lime