Pisco Sour Recipe: The Classic Peruvian Cocktail 2026

The pisco sour is a Peruvian cocktail born in the legendary Morris Bar in Lima, where the American bartender Víctor Morris created it in the 1920s. That bar quickly became a meeting place for Lima's elite and foreign visitors, thanks to its innovation and mastery of cocktail making.

It is a simple drink to prepare yet exquisite in flavor, combining the strength of pisco, a traditional Peruvian grape distillate, with the freshness of lemon, the sweetness of sugar syrup and the silky texture of egg white, all finished with the aromatic, bitter touch of angostura.

Making it is almost as quick as enjoying it: chill the glass well, shake everything vigorously until a foam forms, then strain into the cold glass and add a couple of drops of angostura. In about five minutes you have a bar-quality cocktail at home.

Ingredients for Pisco Sour

This makes 1 cocktail.

• Ice
• 60 ml pisco
• 20 ml lemon juice
• 20 ml sugar syrup
• 1 egg white
• 2 or 3 drops of angostura

How to Make Pisco Sour Step by Step

1. Chill the glass

First, chill a Martini-style glass with a little ice or by placing it in the freezer. A well-chilled glass keeps the cocktail cold and helps the foam hold its shape.

2. Combine the ingredients

Next, pour into a cocktail shaker, or a similar container if you don't have one, 60 ml of pisco, 20 ml of lemon juice, 20 ml of sugar syrup — or 1 teaspoon of sugar instead — and 1 egg white.

3. Shake until foamy

Shake energetically so that the egg white whips up and a thick foam forms on top of the drink. This is the signature texture of a proper pisco sour.

4. Add ice and strain

Add a few ice cubes and shake again. Then strain the cocktail and serve it in the cold glass, discarding the ice left in the shaker.

5. Finish with angostura

Add 2 or 3 drops of angostura bitters on top of the foam. The aromatic, bitter notes contrast beautifully with the sweet and tart base of the cocktail.

6. Serve

Serve the pisco sour right away, while it is still cold and the foam is at its best.

Tips for the Best Pisco Sour

Start with a cold glass

Chilling the glass with ice or in the freezer before you begin makes a real difference. It keeps the drink cold from the first sip and helps the egg-white foam stay stable.

Shake hard for a silky foam

The egg white needs energetic shaking to whip into that characteristic silky foam. Shake first without ice to build the texture, then add the cubes and shake again to chill the drink.

Balance the sweetness and acidity

The classic proportions are 60 ml pisco to 20 ml lemon juice and 20 ml sugar syrup. If you don't have syrup, 1 teaspoon of sugar works as a substitute, and a few drops of angostura on top round out the flavor.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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