Pisco Sour

The Pisco Sour is a refreshing and elegant cocktail balancing the grape-based spirit pisco with the tartness of fresh lime juice and the sweetness of simple syrup. The defining characteristic is its silky foam head, created by shaking the drink with egg white. A few dashes of Angostura bitters on top add an aromatic complexity that complements the cocktail's bright, citrus-forward profile.
Pisco Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Pisco Sour is a classic cocktail, belonging to the "sour" family of drinks. These drinks are traditionally made with a base liquor, citrus juice, and a sweetener. Its iconic status makes it a staple in classic cocktail literature and bar menus worldwide.

Serving

The Pisco Sour is a relatively small, cold cocktail with a significant alcohol content, best served in a pre-chilled coupe or small tumbler glass to maintain its temperature and showcase its foam top.
Serving size
Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

The Pisco Sour was invented in the early 1920s by Victor Vaughen Morris, an American bartender who opened Morris' Bar in Lima, Peru. He adapted the concept of a whiskey sour, substituting the local spirit, pisco, for the whiskey. The recipe was later perfected at the Hotel Maury, also in Lima, with the addition of egg white and bitters.
Origin
Lima, Peru, in the early 1920s.

Pisco Sour

The Pisco Sour is known globally by its original name. It is most commonly associated with Peru, its country of origin, leading to the occasional name "Peruvian Pisco Sour" to distinguish it from the Chilean version, which is prepared differently (typically without egg white or bitters).
Original name
Pisco Sour
Alternative name
Peruvian Pisco Sour

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a delightful contrast in textures, with a silky, smooth body and a creamy, frothy head. Its flavor is a vibrant balance of sour and sweet, with a refreshing, clean finish.
Flavor
Citrusy, tangy, smooth, frothy, slightly sweet, earthy
Aroma
Zesty lime, aromatic bitters, grape spirit
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, short
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Cloudy, pale yellow, opaque, with a thick white foam head
Texture
Silky, frothy, creamy, smooth
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Pisco Sour is defined by a high level of sourness and fruitiness, moderately balanced by sweetness and a creamy texture from the egg white. It is a still drink with a noticeable but not overpowering alcohol strength.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires the base spirit Pisco, fresh lime juice for sourness, simple syrup for sweetness, and an egg white for its signature foamy texture. Aromatic bitters serve as the garnish.
  • Pisco60 ml / 2 oz
    A Quebranta pisco is traditionally used for its body and flavor.
  • Fresh Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor. Key lime (limón) is the authentic choice.
  • Simple Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water.
  • Egg White1 large egg white, about 30 ml / 1 oz
    This creates the characteristic foam. For a vegan option, use aquafaba.
  • Angostura Bitters1-3 dashes
    For garnish on top of the foam.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard two-piece cocktail shaker to mix the ingredients and a strainer to pour the chilled liquid while holding back the ice.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling.
  • Strainer (Hawthorne or fine mesh) for pouring.

Instructions

The key to a Pisco Sour is the two-step shaking process: a 'dry shake' without ice to build foam, followed by a 'wet shake' with ice to chill and dilute the drink before straining and garnishing.
1. Chill your serving glass (a coupe glass is ideal) by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker without ice.
3. Perform a "dry shake": seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This emulsifies the egg white and creates a rich foam.
4. Open the shaker, fill it with cubed ice, and seal it again.
5. Perform a "wet shake": shake hard for another 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
6. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
7. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to ensure a smooth texture.
8. Let the foam settle for a moment, then carefully add 1 to 3 drops of Angostura bitters on top of the foam for garnish.

Garnishing

The Pisco Sour is uniquely garnished with a few drops of Angostura bitters directly onto the egg white foam, creating an appealing visual and aromatic contrast.
  • Angostura Bitters: Garnish with 3 drops of bitters onto the center of the foam.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegetarian but not vegan due to the use of egg white. It is naturally free from dairy, gluten, nuts, and soy.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the simple syrup and the alcohol in the pisco. Carbohydrate content is also moderate.
Calories
Averagely 220 kcal / 920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 18g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 17g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated happy hour, a celebratory toast, or as an elegant aperitif at a dinner party. Its refreshing nature also makes it suitable for warm-weather gatherings.
  • Happy Hour
  • Celebration
  • Dinner Party

Pairing suggestions

The Pisco Sour's bright acidity and refreshing character make it an excellent pairing for seafood, especially Peruvian dishes like ceviche. It also complements grilled fish, chicken skewers, and other light, savory appetizers.
  • Ceviche
  • Grilled fish
  • Lightly spiced appetizers

The Pisco Sour: South America's Frothy Delight

The Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru and a cornerstone of South American cocktail culture. Its genius lies in the balance of strong, earthy pisco with sharp, fresh lime, softened by a touch of sweetness. The addition of egg white is transformative, lending the drink a luxurious, velvety texture and a beautiful foam crown, which serves as a canvas for aromatic bitters. It's an elegant, refreshing, and deceptively potent classic that every cocktail enthusiast should experience.

Similar cocktails

Amaretto Sour

Uses amaretto liqueur as the base spirit, giving it a sweet almond flavor. Often includes egg white in the same style.

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