Did you know that July 28th (that’s today!) is Peruvian Independence Day? We’ve celebrated the holidays of Mexico and Brazil, but before the steamy month of July is over, we’re paying tribute to the 189th anniversary of Peru’s freedom with plenty of music, food, and cocktails. Whether you want to celebrate with the national drink of Peru or quench your thirst with a modern Latin concoction, we have three picks for all the Fiestas Patrias. Our three choices feature Pisco, a 300-year old spirit distilled from grapes. Honor the thousands of Peruvians thriving in both the United States, as well as in Latin America. Viva Peru!
Top Peruvian Independence Day Cocktail: Pisco Sour
We first reported on this frothy tart cocktail earlier this year, but it only makes sense that we savor it all over again for one of Peru’s most important holidays. Considered to be Peru’s official cocktail, the Pisco Sour is also popular in Chile, where its people claim to have discovered it first. However, we’re choosing to make and drink this favorite Latin elixir, not war.
Ingredients
2.5 oz. Pisco (We used Gran Sierpe)
2 oz. Lime juice
1 oz. Sugar or simple syrup
1 tsp. Egg white
Preparation
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and serve in a rocks glass with a dash of bitters to garnish.
Top Peruvian Independence Day Cocktail: Pisco Lychee
In honor of Peru’s expanding Asian community, we’ll be sipping on a Pisco Lychee, a marriage of grape brandy and the beloved fruit of China and Japan. Pisco Lychee also features St. Germain, a floral liqueur that’s highly demanded in upscale bars throughout the United States. This sweet number unites both the traditional and contemporary spirits of Peru in one yummy drink that anyone can easily fall in love with.
Ingredients
2 oz. Pisco (We used Gran Sierpe)
4-5 Lychees
¾ oz. Lemon
1 oz. St. Germain
½ oz. Simple syrup
Preparation
Muddle the lychees, then add remaining ingredients. Serve on the rocks or blend over ice.
Top Peruvian Independence Day Cocktail: Pisco Punch
For large fiestas, you’ll need plenty of alcohol to serve guests and as we’ve discovered, nothing is as easy and affordable like spiked punch. The Peruvian Pisco Punch, made famous in Miami, highlights the juice from ripe pineapples, an ideal treat for sun-soaked days and sizzling hot nights. This is one punch your guests will want over and over again.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Pisco (We used Gran Sierpe)
1 oz. Pineapple juice
1 oz. Lime juice
½ oz. Simple syrup
1 Lemon wheel
Preparation
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the ingredients and shake well for 10 seconds. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
To learn more about Gran Sierpe, click here.
