Drinks of Peru

Chilcano: Chilcano Week recently passed in Peru. The beverage was featured at many restaurants and bars in Peru, and even some ice cream shops which sell chilcano de pisco ice cream. The cocktail is made with Pisco, ginger ale, and lime juice, and served on ice. Just don't confuse it with chilcano de pescado, a fish soup. Try chilcano, or any of the other following Peruvian drinks during a visit to the dynamic country.

Pisco: Both Peru and Chile argue over the origin of pisco, either way it is Peru's national drink. Pisco is a brandy or aguardiente with an alcohol percentage between 42% and 52%. It is distilled from white Muscat grapes and is mostly colorless. The popular cocktail, pisco sour, is a tasty combination of pisco, lime juice, egg white, and sugar syrup.

Chicha de Jora: An alcoholic beverage from the Andes region, chica is traditionally obtained by the fermentation of a specific maize, the jora. It is a beer-like, yellowish, and slightly sour drink. The word chicha is frequently used for any homemade fermented drink, and can be associated with corn, fruits, or other grains.

Chicha Morado: Not to be confused with Chicha de Jora, Chica Morado is non-alcoholic. It is prepared from purple corn, known as maiz morado. Today it can be bought in many supermarkets, but traditionally the purple corn is boiled with chunks of pineapple, quinces, cinnamon, and cloves in water. After straining sugar, a little lime juice is added to the mixture, then it is allowed to cool and served with small pieces of apple.

Juices: The large production of fruit in Peru opens doors to new juices you have probably never even heard of it.  For example, star fruit juice is sweet and refreshing.

Nectar: Similar to juice, nectar is very popular in Peru. It comes it all sorts of flavors such as nectarine, mango, and apple. Delicious and slightly thicker than typical juice, you might convert from being a juice drinker while in Peru.

Inca Kola: This bright yellow soda is comparable to liquid candy. Individuals usually love it or hate it. It was created in 1935 and is very popular in Peru, but has had less success in the rest of the world. Peruvian patriotism and advertising has made Inca Kola one of the most popular soft-drinks in Peru. The advertisements call it "el sabor del Peru" or the flavor of Peru.

Té/Maté de Coca: A tea made with coca leaf is often served with you first arrive at hotels in high altitude regions. This drink won't get you high, but does help with headaches and other effects of altitude sickness.

Wines: Peru is not as well known for their wine production as nations such as Argentina and Chile. However, the wine industry in Peru has been gaining more attention recently. In particular, good wines are usually found in the Ica region.

Beers: Cuzqueña and Arequipeña are tasty Peruvian beers, although Cuzqueña is more widely available throughout the country. Cristal is another popular beer sold in most Peruvian restaurants and bars.