Pisco

[clutchslip]

Is anyone familiar with this liquor?

Having spent some time in Peru, recently, I also spent quite a bit of time with this beverage. Particularly the cocktail, Pisco Sour. A delicious libation that could have you dancing in the streets and singing "Pisco Soooour" chants with your new Peruvian and Australian friends.

Like Margaritas, there are proper Pisco Sours, and then the blender ice/water/cheap Pisco versions. Many sours are made with different infusions, like mango or ginger Pisco, adding another dimension to this wonderful drink.

I brought some top-shelf Pisco home with me. But alas, it has moved on, rather quickly, and I will be hunting for a source of quality Pisco, very soon.

 

[greggargubby]

Interesting. Up here in Oregon the state peddles the hooch and thus we have an online inventory listing of everything available. Every liquor store carries at least some pisco and there are 10 brands available. I might have to try this out.

 

[santa]

Bevmo has Pisco

 

[Entoptic]

Pisco Sour is delicious! Just don't ask what the foam is!

 

[revnort]

Pisco Sour is delicious! Just don't ask what the foam is!

Egg whites.

San Francisco is actually pretty famous for Pisco Punch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisco_punch

You can still find some pretty good pisco drinks in the city. Start asking about them and you'll learn even more SF history.

Pisco punch was an alcoholic beverage invented by Duncan Nicol at a bar named Bank Exchange at the end of the 19th century, in San Francisco, California. The Bank Exchange was located in south-east corner of the intersection of the Montgomery and Washington streets, in the Montgomery Block building, where the Transamerica Pyramid now stands.

Pisco is a late 16th century brandy made from grapes that originated in the Viceroyalty of Peru. It was available in San Francisco since the 1830s when it was first brought from Pisco, Peru via ship by rawhide and tallow traders trading with California towns. During the California Gold Rush of 1849 the brandy was readily available in San Francisco.

History of the drink[edit]
When the Bank Exchange & Billiard Saloon opened its doors in 1853 it served pisco among other several liquors. Several punches were made using pisco at the Bank Exchange over a long succession of owners, ending in 1893 with Duncan Nicol. Nicol was the last owner of the Bank Exchange when it closed its doors permanently in 1919 because of the Volstead Act.

 

[maxandgrinch]

Brought as much back as I could. Enjoyed it. Haven't bought more since.

Need to add that back into the mix.

 

[Stormdragon]

I have actually had a Pisco Sour Hangover, brought on by too many pitchers of pisco sours while working in Peru.

I still have a bottle or two of tourist pisco in fancy bottles I've never opened. Does it get better with age?

 

[clutchslip]

Egg whites.

San Francisco is actually pretty famous for Pisco Punch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisco_punch

You can still find some pretty good pisco drinks in the city. Start asking about them and you'll learn even more SF history.

We discussed this in Lima. And knowledgable Peruvians were aware of it. The Vista invented Irish Coffee. Supposedly, the margarita was invented at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, by a bartender that won a Seagrams contest. Americans are the innovating druggies of the world.

I have actually had a Pisco Sour Hangover, brought on by too many pitchers of pisco sours while working in Peru.

I still have a bottle or two of tourist pisco in fancy bottles I've never opened. Does it get better with age?

I don't know about the aging, but avoid the syrupy sours. Like all cocktails, the sugar leads to hangovers. Make the sours with Triple Sec or (even better) Cointreau, instead.

Peasco out, man.