Top 5: Places to Celebrate Pisco Sour Week in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
Hello friends, it’s Pisco Sour Week tomorrow (4th-11th February). We don’t need a themed week to declare our undying love for this Peruvian tipple; we appreciate this cocktail any day of the year. Here’s our top Pisco picks:
1. For a Limited Edition Pisco Sour: SUSHISAMBA
The Drink: Réveillon (£13)
The Blend: Pomegranate molasses, Japanese citrus, muddled grapes and spiced sugar.
The Story: SUSHISAMBA brings together Brazilian, Japanese and Peruvian culture to their dining tables, so it’s no surprise that they’ll be drawing on their Peruvian influences, and serving up three delightful Pisco cocktails for the week. On the menu is Chilcano, think of it as a Peruvian Mosco Mule with Pisco, fresh lime and ginger ale, and the Réveillon, a punchy combination of pomegranate molasses, Japanese citrus, muddled grapes and spiced sugar which is then churned through ice and spiked with Pisco for added gusto. And lastly, the Samba Sour – a modern Pisco Sour for the urban Pisco Sour drinker. The cocktail features Pisco Brandy and maraschino liqueur shaken hard with yuzu, egg white and a turmeric infusion.
Where: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, 39th Floor, London EC2N 4AY
2. For Discounted Pisco Sours: Ceviche Soho/Old St, Andina and Casita Andina
The Drink: Classic Pisco Sour
The Blend: Pisco Acholado, egg white, chuncho bitters, lime juice and sugar syrup.
The Story: Martin Morales is the Peruvian King. This man rustles up some of the best Peruvian cuisine in town, and is at the helm of a number of incredible restaurants including Ceviche Soho and Old St, Andina and Casita Andina. To celebrate Pisco Week, Martin and the team will be offering a snack and a cocktail for £9 from 4-6pm (also known as Pisco o’clock). Alongside their classic Pisco, other cocktails will include the Avocado Sour; the Paddington Sour with Marmalade-infused pisco; and the Pink Sake Sour with Red berries-infused pisco. Snacks will include Croquetes de Maca; Amarillo Poppers; and Pork Chifa Tequenos.
Where: Ceviche Soho: 17 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4RG. Ceviche Old Street: 2 Baldwin St, London EC1V 9NU. Andina: 1 Redchurch St, Shoreditch, London E2 7DJ. Casita Andina: 31 Great Windmill St, Soho, London W1D 7LP
3. For an Exotic Pisco Sour: MNKY HSE
The Drink: The Guava Pisco Sour (£11)
The Blend: Macchu Pisco, guava puree, lime juice, banana syrup, rhubarb bitters and egg white.
The Story: MNKY HSE, the Latin-American restaurant and bar on Mayfair’s Dover Street has created a limited edition cocktail menu to celebrate Pisco Sour Week The cocktail collection, curated by head bartender, Javito Escirbano, will showcase the versatility of the Peruvian brandy, with three flavour profiles; ‘Exotic’, ‘Refreshing’ and ‘Hot and Spicy’. The Guava Pisco Sour combines Machu Pisco, guava pure, lime juice, banana syrup, rhubarb bitters and egg white to transport drinkers to Lima. For something deliciously different, try the Red Devil Sour with La Diablada Pisco Italia, lime juice, Peychaud bitters, chilli and coriander homemade syrup and egg white.
Where: 10 Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4LQ
4. For All the Pisco Sours: Senor Ceviche
The Drink: Spiced Pineapple Pisco Sour (£8.50)
The Blend: Machu Pisco, lime juice, egg white, Chuncho bitters and spiced pineapple.
The Story: It’s always Pisco Sour Week in Señor Ceviche’s casa. No themed weeks are needed to enjoy a Pisco Sour at this poppin’ restaurant in Kingly Court. From Monday – Thursday at set times (5pm-6:30pm), you can get your mitts on a variety of Pisco Sours for a fiver. A fiver. The cocktail menu has been expertly designed to showcase the diversity and versatility of the Pisco spirit. The Prevuvian Old Fashion features cherry, mushroom and pine infused Machu Pisco, orange peel, agave syrup, celery and orange bitters – honestly, it tastes better than it sounds. Or, you can just stick to the classics and opt for the Pisco Sour with Machu Pisco, lime juice, egg white and Chuncho bitters. However, the Nikkei Matcha Pisco Sour is something quite special.
Where: Kingly Court, Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
5. For a Fruity Pisco Sour: Lima Floral and Lima Fitzrovia
The Drink: Fresa Pisco Sour (£11)
The Blend: Luna de Ica puro quebranta, freshly squeezed lime juice, egg white, sugar and bitters, and strawberry syrup.
The Story: LIMA is a representation of the gastronomic expansion that has taken place in Peru during the last few years. If you’re looking for your Peruvian fill in the capital – Lima Fitzrovia was first awarded a Michelin star in 2013 – the first and only Peruvian restaurant to achieve this. Some serious credentials they’ve got going on. Their Pisco Sour offering features the classic, and more fruity tipples including the Pera Pisco Sour with pear, and the Guayaba Pisco Sour with an added dash of guava. After something on the lighter side? Try the Refresco De Pisco with citrus infused Pisco, fresh cucumber, mint, lemon and soda water.
Where: LIMA Floral: 14 Garrick St, London WC2E 9BJ and LIMA Fitzrovia: 31 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1JH
