Pisco Sour Day: A Tasty Tradition

February is the month of love, but in Peru amor isn’t just directed toward family and significant others—Peruvians also proclaims their love for their national drink, the pisco sour. In 2003, Peru marked February 1st as national Pisco Sour Day, confirming the drink’s prominent place in Peruvian culture.



Ironically, this source of Peruvian pride was actually invented by an American. Victor Morris was living in Lima in 1920 when he first blended the Peruvian brandy pisco with lemon juice, egg whites, and simple syrup to create what is now a classic cocktail. In recognition of this dual heritage, on February 3, 2011 the Peruvian embassy in Washington D.C. is hosting a pisco sour mixing competition. Top US mixologists and bartenders will convene to test and taste their talents. The event will help create buzz about Machu Picchu’s 100th anniversary of "rediscovery." The Incan site was brought to global attention by American explorer and archeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, who was led to the site by a local boy. The site was known by local indigenous villagers, some of who lived in or near the site.



Glasses will be full the first week of February down in Peru as well and the capital city Lima might be hung-over after three days of pisco sour mixing contests scheduled for its Pisco Sour Festival (February 3-6 , 2011). Food fairs, live concerts, and dance performances will add to the event, which will be held in Parque de la Amistad in the Surco district. Numerous bars and other Lima districts will be hosting festivities that weekend as well.



Those not in DC or Lima can celebrate themselves. Simply mix 2 ounces of pisco with 1 ounce of fresh lime or lemon juice, ½ to 1 ounce of simple syrup, and an egg white. Feel free to play with the proportions. Sugar can be substituted for syrup, and bitters can be added for an extra flair. Mix well and bottoms up!



This article about Pisco Sour was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less, a respected US company based in Peru that specializes in customizable Peru vacation packages.