Pisco Sour
Peru's frothy national cocktail blending grape brandy, lime, sugar, and egg white with a bitters finale.
16%
ABV
235
Calories
Coupe
Glass
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Dry shake pisco, lime, syrup, and egg white to emulsify
Add ice and shake again until frothy and cold
Strain into a chilled coupe and dot with bitters in a decorative pattern
Glassware
Served up in a small coupe or sour glass
Garnish
Dotted atop foam
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a reverse dry shake for extra stable foam
Chill the glass to preserve the meringue-like head
Dot the bitters using a dropper to create designs
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Pisco Sour.
Chilean Pisco Sour
Chile's national cocktail featuring pisco, lime juice, and simple syrup – crisp, clean, and spirit-forward without egg white or bitters.
Maracuyá Sour
A vibrant and seductive twist on Peru's national cocktail, the Pisco Sour, showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Amazonian region through its use of passion fruit.
Other Variations
Vegan Sour
Aquafaba replaces egg white for a plant-based foam.
Changes
Bitters Barista
Uses cinnamon or cocoa bitters for aromatic variation.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Created in the early 20th century by American bartender Victor Morris at his Lima bar, the Pisco Sour melded Peruvian pisco with the sour template and silky egg white. The drink spread through South America, eventually becoming Peru's national cocktail—with its own holiday—while Chile stakes a claim with a slightly different style.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Maracuyá Sour
A vibrant and seductive twist on Peru's national cocktail, the Pisco Sour, showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Amazonian region through its use of passion fruit.
Chilcano
Peruvian highball—pisco, lime, and ginger ale over ice with a dash of bitters for a bright, snappy refresher.
Planter's Punch
Dark rum punch with citrus and spice—the Caribbean's signature party drink.