Birthday party blowouts, New Year’s Eve bashes, and even summer porch sessions have pisco written all over them. Pisco is a South American spirit distilled from grapes. It’s been around for centuries with origins in Chile and Peru. While there’s a lot of commotion about who invented it, one thing is for certain, the taste is exquisite! From puckering sours to refreshing libations, these unique pisco cocktails are great for all kinds of occasions. Plus, you don’t have to be a professional bartender to make a killer pisco cocktail. All you need is one of these recipes.
1. St. Pisco Smash
If you’ve never tried pisco before, this libation is a great place to start. Fruity, minty, and ginger-flavored, it’s one of the most refreshing concoctions featuring pisco. Like all good smash cocktails, it calls for muddle fruit. And lucky for you, this one is all about blackberries. You’ll love how it pairs with the grape notes of the pisco and bite from the ginger beer. All that’s missing now is St. Germain’s elderflower liqueur to earn the name St. Pisco smash!
2. The Cupid’s Cup
There couldn’t be a cocktail more fitting for Valentine’s Day! This vibrant cocktail is gleaming with happy-go-lucky holiday delight. But you don’t have to wait until February to find out. Mix one up tonight for yourself. Pisco and Aperol make up the base. Meanwhile, simple syrup, lemon, and egg white balance it all out. In case you’re not familiar with Aperol, it’s an Italian aperitif with a bittersweet orange flavor. Part bitter, part sour, a Cupid’s cup is best for those who don’t like their cocktails heavy on the sweet side. Although, if you do, you could always add more simple syrup to the mix.
3. Passport to Chile
You won’t need a passport to Chile to enjoy this drink! What you do need is six ingredients, 5 minutes, and a group of friends for sharing. Lively and bright, this cocktail is citrus-heavy. And I do mean heavy! It has a lot of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and lime juice, along with more grapefruit slices for garnishing. As for the pisco, it calls for an entire bottle! How’s that for getting the party started?
4. El Diablo Cocktail with Pisco and Ginger Beer
This cocktail is one sneaky devil! It’s the epitome of refreshing, making it the ideal adult beverage for a hot summer day. The sweet tartness of the black currants in the creme de cassis and the floral notes of pisco are wickedly good together. Accent them both with a fizzy ginger beer, a squeeze of lime, and a pinch of thyme. This one is best served ice-cold. So pack a tall glass full of ice and get shakin’! The cocktail shaker that is.
5. Tropical Passion Fruit Pisco Sour
This mouth-puckering sour tastes like a paradise in a glass! It’s zippy, sweet, and fruity with a tropical twist. What makes it different from a traditional Peruvian pisco sour is that it includes passion fruit. Freshly squeezed juice is best, but store-bought works too if passion fruit is out of season. Mix it up with an egg white for a velvety texture and sweeten it with regular sugar. Alternatively, you can use simple syrup, too. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Peruvian sour without the pisco!
6. Pear Ginger Pisco Sour
Another divine pisco sour you’ll love is this ginger and pear version. It’s a four-ingredient cocktail that takes only a few minutes to mix up. That’s great news because you’ll make it for friends all year! The ginger honey syrup gives it some bite with just the right amount of sweetness at the same time. As for the pisco, use Catan. It’s a Chilean brand with notes of peaches, tangerines, and honey. Shake it up with the lime and the honey, then pour it into a Nick and Nora glass if you have them. For the grand finale, top it off with fresh pear slices for a dazzling presentation.
7. Andean Dusk Cocktail
I’ve never been to the Andes, but I imagine an epic sunset over the mountain range is as radiant as this! Rosé champagne gives this drink a pretty pink hue and pisco makes it more complex. Add lemon juice to enhance the flavor and a kiss of simple syrup to sweeten the deal. Whether you’re on vacation or chilling at home, make yourself a glass and enjoy the sunset. But be careful, this boozy cocktail can easily sneak up on you!
8. Grape Pisco Sour
If you want to make your pisco sour a little more fruity, add grape juice. Pisco is the result of distilling grapes, so it’s an obvious choice. It’s the perfect balance between sweet and sour without distracting too much from the original flavor. While egg whites are optional, I just love the smooth creamy texture. You can make it extra foamy by using a blender.
9. Grapefruit Pisco Collins
Spruce up your Tom Collins with a shot of pisco! It’s fruitier and less botanical than gin. But don’t worry, this is equally as refreshing as the classic. The combination of fizzy soda water, grapefruit juice, and pisco will tickle your tastebuds with delight. Of course, it wouldn’t be a decent Collins without the lemon juice and simple syrup. So toss it all in a cocktail shaker and pour yourself a tall glass.
10. Pisco Punch
Pisco punch is the perfect party cocktail. It’s fruity, boozy, and easy to make. As a Peruvian classic, you’ll want to be sure to use Peruvian pisco to match. Also, go with fresh pineapple juice instead of store-bought Pisco punch will be a hit at your New Year’s Eve soiree and a staple at your summer pool parties. Just remember that pisco is high-octane, so drink responsibly.
11. Chilcano Cocktail
One last classic Peruvian pisco drink you simply have to try is the chilcano. It’s a four-ingredient cocktail that calls for pisco, ginger ale, Angostura bitters, and lime. Not only is it super refreshing, but it only takes three minutes to make! You add everything into a glass and give it a stir. Then, find yourself a comfortable spot and kick back and relax. It’s time for some much-needed R and R. Click on a star to rate it!
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