Pisco Sour Cocktail - Recipe

Cat Byers |

Photo credit: Paul Winch-Furness

This classic Peruvian cocktail always makes an impression, and is surprisingly simple to make. Miguel Arbe, head bartender at Peruvian restaurants Ceviche and Andina, shares his recipes and tips with us.

Serves 1 Ingredients: 
  • 50ml Pisco Acholado
  • 1 egg white
  • 3 drops of Angustura or chuncho bitters
For the sour mix:
  • 30ml lime juice
  • 20ml sugar syrup
 Method There are two ways to make this cocktail. You can either put all the ingredients into a blender with 3 ice cubes and blend until smooth, or you can fill a shaker with ice, add the other ingredients and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Carefully hold the froth back with the lid of the shaker or blender and pour the liquid into a chilled glass; you will still end up with a drink with a good head of foam. To serve, add 3 drops of bitters. If you need to make more than one drink, note that one egg white will make enough froth for 4 drinks if blended or 2 drinks if shaken. Sugar Syrup Method You can buy this syrup, but it's much cheaper and quicker to make at home.It will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge, but it is better fresh and chilled. Measure 100g granulated sugar into a jug and pour over 100ml freshly boiled water. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved and then chill. A quick way to do this is to plunge the jug into a bowl of iced water. Alternatively,you can transfer to the fridge and leave until cold. Makes about 200ml. Tips and Tricks Pisco sours are a brilliant cocktail for parties. Here are a few tips that will help when organising one:
  • Prepare the lime juice just before the party starts and keep it in the fridge.
  • For an even faster service, you can mix together the lime and sugar syrup following the recipe proportions and have the sour mix ready in the fridge.
  • The blender is your friend!  Use the same amount of lime, syrup and pisco. One egg white will be enough for 5 cocktails and use  3 ice cubes per cocktail.
  • Blend all together, and strain carefully.
You are now ready for a great Peruvian  party! N.B Chuncho bitters is a Peruvian bitters made from Andean herbs. It's easy to get hold of, but Angostura bitters makes an excellent substitute.
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