The Backstory
Legend has it (according to historians and drink experts) that the Pisco Sour originated in Peru in the 1920s, when American bartender Victor Morris created it as a variation of the Whiskey Sour.
Today, the Pisco Sour holds the title of the national drink of both Peru and Chile. Each country has its own way of preparing the cocktail using locally distilled pisco. Over time, Morris’s original recipe has evolved into the version we know today.
Our take on this classic is inspired by a recipe in The Essential Cocktail Book. By substituting Amargo Chuncho Bitters and Wonderfoam Cocktail Foam, we've added our own twist to the drink while staying true to its Peruvian roots.
The Recipe
Pisco Sour
Ingredients:
2 oz Pisco
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
3-6 drops of Wonderfoam Cocktail Foam or ½ large egg white
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry shake. Add ice to the shaker and shake well. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass or cocktail glass, allowing the foam to rise to the top. Garnish with a few drops of Chuncho Bitters, dragging a cocktail pick through the drops to create a decorative pattern in the foam.
An NA Alternative
For those looking for a spirit-free libation with the same balance of sweet and sour as the Pisco Sour, we recommend this refreshing mocktail from the bookLemonade with Zest. The Argentine Limonade is a popular drink in the courtyard cafes of Buenos Aires. It has the same foamy head as a Pisco Sour and a sweet/tart taste that will quench your thirst on a warm day.
Argentine Limonade
Adapted from Lemonade with Zest
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)
6 Tbsp superfine granulated sugar
2 cups still water
6 drops Wonderfoam or 1 egg white
In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend using three quick 1-second pulses. Pour the mixture into ice-filled glasses and let it sit for about 5 minutes until a foamy head forms. Serve right away.
¡Salud!
Both the classic Pisco Sour and the refreshing non-alcoholic Argentine Limonade offer a harmonious balance of sweet and sour with a smooth, foamy finish. As the weather warms up here in Boston, we look forward to bringing a little bit of South American cocktail culture to our social gatherings or to sunny afternoons on the patio. As always, we encourage you to drink responsibly and savor every moment with good friends and good drinks!
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