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Love at first sip, this Chilean Pisco Sour recipe is one of the simplest cocktails to make. Aromatic and fruity simply mix three parts Pisco, with one part each of sugar syrup, lime juice, and ice.
What is Chilean Pisco Sour?
Chilean Pisco Sour is considered Chile’s National Spirit. Neighboring Peru, also has its own version of Pisco Sour that it also claims as its national beverage.
Between the two countries, the origins of Pisco are fiercely debated. No matter which country you are in, you’ll get an earful as to why that country’s version is superior.
Pisco itself is a type of brandy produced in the winemaking regions of Chile and Peru. Each country claims to have the best ingredients for Pisco Sour.
Not surprisingly, Chilean pisco sour calls for Chilean ingredients. Pisco brandy must be from Chile, the limes are from the Pica region of the country and finally, sugar and ice.
How Strong is Pisco Sour
Pisco Sours are delicious. They are just simply good cocktails. They are subtly sweet, refreshing and incredibly easy to drink.
However, you do want to watch the alcohol levels. The alcohol content in a Pisco Sour drinks is between 30% and 50%.
In Chile, the fine balance between the intense citrus lime juice and sweetness of the sugar makes them very palatable. Be warned, too many Pisco Sours can knock you off your feet.
What does Pisco Sour Taste Like?
Despite the name, pisco sours are not sour. They are a curious blend between sweet and tart and most importantly very smooth.
The ingredients used to make a pisco sour have a big impact on the taste. For instance, the recipe for Chilean Pisco Sour calls for thin-skinned limes from the Pica region of Chile. This gives the Chilean pisco a bright and slightly sour taste.
If lemons are used instead, the Chilean Pisco Sour will be more citrusy, a little sweeter and feel more tropical.
Differences between Chilean Pisco Sour and Peruvian Pisco Sour
Regardless of whether the origins of Pisco Sour lie in Chile or Peru, the ingredients bear some similarities and differences.
In Chile, Pisco Sour is made using Chilean Pisco brandy, blended with fresh juice of pica lime and sugar, and ice.
Peruvian Pisco Sour, uses Pisco from Peru and adds lime juice, simple syrup, ice, egg whites and Angostura bitters.
There are also significant differences in the way the Pisco brandy is made. In Chile, the better quality Pisco brandy is aged in oak barrels which is not the case for Peruvian Pisco.
The range of grapes used to make Pisco also varies. Chilean Pisco can be made from a range of 13 different grapes, as opposed to eight in Peru.
Putting all differences aside, the first Saturday in February is a special day. It is International Pisco Sour Day, celebrated all over the world.
Discovering Chilean Pisco Sour in Chile – Chile’s National Drink
During our time in Chile, we were struck by how pisco is deeply woven into the local food culture.
Chilean pisco, usually in the form of a pisco sour, was available on practically every menu. With its light and playful aromas, it was often paired with ceviche, seafood and salads.
One of the things that surprised us about Chile, was the diversity of local drinks available.
In addition to Chilean Pisco Sour, the country also makes world-renown Cabernet Sauvignon wines and a myriad unique local drinks.
There is a lot to sip on Chile. Try the Chilean Pisco drinks and don’t miss out on the other local favorites.
History of Chilean Pisco Sour
Chileans claim Pisco Sour was invented in 1872 by Elliot Stubb, a steward on an English Ship. Apparently, when setting up a bar in the northern Chilean city of Iquique, he introduced a new drink.
He combined Pisco with limon de pica, a small lime that grows in the area establishing it as the birthplace of Chilean pisco sour.
Peru, however, disputes the claims. The origins of Pisco Sour are attributed to Victor Morris, a bartender from the U.S., in Lima. In the 1920s, Morris began experimenting with Pisco based cocktails and created the Pisco Sour.
Going even further back, Pisco was developed and popular among Spanish settlers in the 16th century. It was made from the distillation of grapes from wine growing regions.
Chilean Pisco is made in only two regions of the country known for low humidity and desert like terrain. The Atacama and Coquimbo regions in the north.
Pisco brandy made from other regions of the country are called Aguardiente, and by law cannot be called Pisco.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are looking for Chilean Pisco for your Chilean Pisco Sour recipe, you can have it delivered to your home. You can order Capel Chilean Pisco, a spectacular artisanal bottle, and enjoy the ultimate national Chilean Spirit.
How to Make Chilean Pisco Sour at Home
This delightful cocktail can be whipped up in no time. The ingredients for this Chilean Pisco Sour recipe are simple. Start with Chilean Pisco brandy as your base, add, lime or lemon juice, sugar and ice and shake it all together.
In less than five minutes you’ll savor the refreshing flavors of Chile’s national drink.
Adapting Your Chilean Pisco Sour Recipe
- Limes vs. Lemons
In Chile, the limes used to make a Pisco Sour are specific limes from the Pica region. As these limes are not widely available outside Chile’s borders, you can substitute with either limes or lemons.
The taste will vary from slightly more tart with limes to sweeter and tropical with lemons. Simply pick your preference.
- Powdered Sugar vs Syrup
Most Chilean Pisco Sour recipes use powdered sugar. However, simple sugar syrup can also be used. You can make simple syrup at home by combining equal parts of sugar and water and bringing it to boil. One the sugar has dissolved, allow it to cool and use it in your Pisco Sour.
- Blended or Shaken
For this simple recipe, you don’t need to mix the ingredients together in a blender. Simply use a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously until the sugar dissolves.
Chilean Pisco Sour
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounce Chilean Pisco
- 1 ounce lime or lemon juice
- 1-2 tablespoon Powdered Sugar
- ¼ – ½ cup crushed ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker with crushed ice add sugar followed by Pisco and topped with lime/lemon juice
- Shake vigorously until sugar dissolvesÂ
- Taste and adjust sugar to your liking
- Serve in chilled tall narrow glasses like champagne flutes or in short cocktail glasses
Nutrition
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Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.Â
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
Just centralizing the gender balance of your responders — most are female, but even i, a male, love Pisco Sours! Thanks for the points about the Pica limes and the powdered sugar. I don’t like the idea of raw egg whites, so i will ask my Chliean brother-in-law to make them next time he comes.
Appreciate it, Lex, and thanks so much for chiming in. Yes, Pica lemons and powdered sugar do make the Chilean Pisco’s so good. As you wait for your brother-in-law to come to visit, try the recipe in the meantime. Maybe you’ll surprise him by making him the best Pisco Sour he’s ever had. What do you think? Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed discovering Chilean Pisco Sour. Cheers.
So this recipe leaves out egg white which is a MUST for a pisco sour.
Also, this recipe does not call for nearly enough citrus juice. I doubled the lime/lemon juice and it was much better.
Overall, I appreciate the simplicity of the recipe, and it gets the main idea. But it does not actually make a great pisco sour.
Thanks Samuel for your feedback. One thing to keep in mind is that the Chilean pisco sour NEVER uses egg white. That’s one the biggest differentiators with the Peruvian pisco sour which has egg whites. Also, in Chile pica limes are used which are much more tart than the limes in the US, so it makes perfect sense that you doubled the amount. Glad you were able to make this Chilean Pisco to meet your tastes. Cheers and enjoy!!
That’s seriously not true. I discovered pisco sours in Patagonia on an eco-tourism trip To Chile for grad school 10 years ago. They were made with pisco, lime (double your suggested amt), powdered sugar, bitters, and egg whites -> shaken over crushed ice. The whole purpose of using powdered sugar vs simple is bc it contains corn starch which helps build a more stable meringue when you froth the egg whites.
The “fight” between Chilean and Peruvian pisco sour is truly something else. We spent 6 months in South America learning from experts and locals about this culinary specialty. One thing we did learn is that everyone has their own personal twist on the recipe. Regardless, the one thing we can all agree, the Pisco Sour is one delicious cocktail. Thanks, Amanda.
Thanks, Amanda for sharing your experience with Chilean Pisco Sour. During our 6-month stay in South America, we had locals both in Chile and Peru describe the differences between the two cocktails. It’s as if everyone has their own personal point of view. In the end, the Pisco Sour is delicious – regardless of where it is from 🙂 Cheers.
This drink is totally new to me. Sounds interesting and refreshing. Pinned the recipe. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed discovering Chilean Pisco Sour. Cheers.
This drink is totally new to me. Sounds interesting and refreshing. Pinned the recipe. Thanks.
These look perfect for summer and so refreshing! Can’t wait to make them this weekend.
These look perfect for summer and so refreshing! Can’t wait to make them this weekend.
I love a good Pisco sour, so refreshing and summery! It’s been a while since I made one of these for myself, I’ll have to change that ASAP!
I love a good Pisco sour, so refreshing and summery! It’s been a while since I made one of these for myself, I’ll have to change that ASAP!
Oh my goodness that sounds lush. I would love one of these right now
Oh my goodness that sounds lush. I would love one of these right now
This sounds like the perfect summer drink paired with some delicious, spicy food!!
This sounds like the perfect summer drink paired with some delicious, spicy food!!
I bet they taste amazing! The next time we have a backyard get together I’m going to serve these.
You will love them, Rena. Do let us know what you and your guests think. Cheers.
This drink sounds so refreshing! Is it summer yet? 😉
Lol…so true. Anytime is Summer time with a Chilean Pisco Sour. Cheers 🙂
I heard that making cocktails for the places you can’t travel to is all the rage right now. I’ve always wanted to travel to Chile but I’ll take a Chilean Pisco Sour instead…thanks for sharing the recipe!
You are most welcome. In lieu of a trip to Chile now, sipping on Pisco Sour is a great place to start.Thanks for stopping by.
SMH.. This literally have me ‘shaking-my-head’. Like I can literally TASTE this thru your site. Why do you do this to me?! LOL. OMG. Gotta try this. Thank you for sharing. Hugs.
Mmmm, you are most welcome, Janelle. Let us know what you think when you make it. Cheers!!
I don’t do sour, so I would’ve assumed this wasn’t more of a sweet drink just by the name. I think I’d enjoy it more with the lemon added.
You can have it with either lemon or lime and you’ll not go wrong. Either way, it’s delicious.
I have never actually heard of this before. It sounds like a great drink though. I’d love to try the recipe sometime.
Glad to have introduced you to Chilean Pisco Sour. Try the recipe sometime and do let us know what you think. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I haven’t ever tried Pisco Sour!
I don’t drink but this looks really delicious and I think my sister would love to try this, will share the recipe with her.
This sounds so yummy! I love things that aren’t too sweet. I will have to whip some of these up.
Great to hear Lisa. Can’t wait to hear what you think about it. Cheers.
Oh, yum! I’ve been craving a cocktail ever since the weather suddenly got so warm.
Try this Chilean Pisco Sour for a taste of Chile in your glass. Do let us know what you think when you make it. Cheers.
I’ve never had one of these! Yum! I will have to try it out for sure.
This sounds like a fun cocktail which would be great to offer at get together with friends and family members! I’ll have to try and make it.
Great to hear Sarah. Can’t wait to hear what you all think about it.Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve never had Pisco but it sounds like something I would at least try. I tend to be a little picky LOL
This looks like a lot of fun to make. Can’t wait to give this a try.
I am not a drinker except for a little wine, prosecco or bloody mary. This pisco sour is new to me and although it sounds great I have never seen it in our stores.
This sounds like my kind of drink. I don’t care for beer or wine, but I do love a good cocktail.
If you love cocktails, try the Pisco Sour. It’s easy to make at home and quite tasty. Give it a try and let us know what you think.Cheers