Our friends in Peru are celebrating Dia Nacional de Sour (National Pisco Sour Day). And for us in Australia, the Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism is inviting all cocktail-sipping Aussies to celebrate with them! 

National Pisco Sour Day is held on the first Saturday of February each year. It is an official Peruvian holiday where locals celebrate their national Pisco Sour drink.

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“There are few cocktails that achieve a taste as perfectly balanced as a Pisco sour,” says Mario Vargas, Trade Commissioner of Peru to Australia and New Zealand. 

“Its mixture of flavours, colourful appearance and signature aroma have made this delicious drink a Peruvian national treasure and a product exportable to the world. 

“This signature holiday is an opportunity to explore the deliciousness of Pisco, the Spirit of Peru, and we invite Aussies to join us at their favourite cocktail bar to enjoy this classic Peruvian cocktail.” 

Pisco Sour history

The original Pisco Sour dates back to 1920s Lima when Victor Vaughen Morris, a florist from Salt Lake City, Utah, who had retired to the Lima, opened the Morris Bar. There, he came across the locally produced spirit, Pisco, and began experimenting with various cocktails. His Pisco Sour invention later became Peru’s much loved and nationally celebrated drink. The recipe for this cocktail is quite simple so why not try it today and celebrate National Pisco Sour Day too? 

How to make a Pisco Sour 

Ingredients 

  • 90ml Pisco, the Spirit of Peru 
  • 45ml freshly squeezed lime juice 
  • 45ml simple syrup 
  • 12ml egg white 
  • 4 ice cubes 

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously to create a frothy, creamy texture to the cocktail. Strain into a chilled Old Fashioned or coupe glass. Finish with three or four drops of Angostura bitters on top as a final touch. —-

The Commission also recommends celebrating the day with the classic Pisco Chilcano. In 2021, Australian bartenders were invited to give a down under twist to the classic Peruvian cocktail, enhancing the simple mixture of ginger ale, lime, bitters and Pisco with Australian ingredients. Check them out here if you’d like to see the top 5 and the winning recipe.

Where can I buy Pisco?

There are a few you can choose from, but our favourites are:

Fundo Del Parral Pisco which you can get from P and V Merchants  or from Peruvian Distillers

Barsol which you can get from Devine Cellars

Pucara Pisco which you can pick up here

Del Carral from The Pisco People

And Santiago Queirolo from Jim’s Cellars.