Pisco Sour
A shaken cocktail of pisco, citrus, syrup, and egg white from Peru
Pisco Sour is a cocktail from Peru made by mixing pisco, a grape brandy, with fresh lime or lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters. Served chilled and straight up, it is a signature drink in Peru and also popular in Chile, with each country offering its own version. It is enjoyed year-round and especially celebrated in Peru every February.
- Invented in Lima, Peru, in the early 1920s
- Made with pisco, citrus juice, syrup, egg white, and bitters
- Peru and Chile both claim it as a national drink
- Peru celebrates Pisco Sour Day every February
What is Pisco Sour?
Pisco Sour is a cocktail built around pisco, a clear grape brandy from Peru. The classic Peruvian version is made by shaking pisco with freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and a few drops of aromatic bitters. When poured, it has a pale, frothy top from the egg white, with a light citrus aroma and a balance of tart, sweet, and herbal flavors. It is served straight up in a goblet or similar glass, without ice.
Where does Pisco Sour come from?
The drink was created in Lima, Peru, in the early 1920s by Victor Vaughen Morris, an American bartender who opened Morris' Bar. While pisco-based drinks were made in Peru and Chile for centuries, the modern cocktail took shape when Morris adapted the whiskey sour to use local pisco. The recipe was refined by Mario Bruiget, who added egg white and bitters. Both Peru and Chile claim the drink as their own, and the rivalry over its origins and preparation is part of its story.
How is Pisco Sour made?
To make a Pisco Sour, pisco is shaken with fresh citrus juice (usually lime or lemon), simple syrup, and a raw egg white. The mixture is shaken vigorously with ice, then strained into a chilled glass. A few drops of bitters are added on top for aroma and decoration. The egg white gives the drink a creamy texture and a foamy head.
How and when is Pisco Sour eaten?
Pisco Sour is typically served as an aperitif or cocktail, often before a meal or as a social drink at gatherings. In Peru, it is enjoyed in bars, restaurants, and at home, especially during celebrations. The drink is served cold and straight up, without ice in the glass. It is commonly accompanied by light snacks or served on its own.
Kinds of Pisco Sour
The Chilean version of Pisco Sour uses Chilean pisco and Pica lime, and usually omits the egg white and bitters. Other versions may include fruits like pineapple or infusions such as coca leaves. Over time, bartenders have created new twists using different syrups or garnishes, but the Peruvian and Chilean styles remain the most recognized.
What Pisco Sour means
Pisco Sour is a symbol of national pride in both Peru and Chile, each considering it a national drink. The rivalry over its origin is a frequent topic in popular culture and media. In Peru, the first Saturday of February is celebrated as Pisco Sour Day, with festivities and special events. The drink is widely recognized as a classic of South American cocktails.
Questions people ask about Pisco Sour
What is Pisco Sour made of?
Pisco Sour is made from pisco (a grape brandy), fresh lime or lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and aromatic bitters. The ingredients are shaken with ice and served straight up.
Where did Pisco Sour originate?
Pisco Sour was created in Lima, Peru, in the early 1920s by Victor Vaughen Morris, an American bartender who opened Morris' Bar in the city.
What does Pisco Sour taste like?
It has a balance of tart citrus, gentle sweetness, and herbal notes from the bitters, with a creamy, frothy texture from the egg white.
How is the Peruvian version different from the Chilean?
The Peruvian version uses egg white and bitters, while the Chilean version uses Chilean pisco and Pica lime, and usually omits the egg white and bitters.
When is Pisco Sour typically served?
It is served as a cocktail before meals or at social gatherings, and is especially popular during Peru's Pisco Sour Day on the first Saturday of February.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pisco sour", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from Peru
All the food of Peru
Mojito
🇨🇺 Cuba and 5 moreCuban cocktail of white rum, lime, mint, sugar and soda water over ice
Drink
Eggnog
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA creamy, sweet drink of milk, eggs, sugar and spirits, served at Christmas
Drink, Snacks
Chicha
🇵🇪 Peru and 6 moreA traditional Latin American drink made by fermenting maize or other plants
Drink, Snacks
AguapanelaVegan
🇨🇴 Colombia and 6 moreSweet drink made by dissolving panela (unrefined cane sugar) in water
Drink
Its cousins elsewhere
All drinks
TeaVegan茶
🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA drink made by soaking tea leaves in hot or cold water
Drink
CoffeeVegan
🇾🇪 Yemen and 5 moreA dark, bitter drink made by brewing roasted coffee beans
Drink, Breakfast, Snacks
WineVegan
🇬🇪 Georgia and 5 moreAlcoholic drink made by fermenting grape juice in many styles and colors
Drink
Ice cream
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA frozen dessert made from sweetened, flavoured milk or cream
Sweet or dessert, Snacks