This home grown hand-crafted spirit has been in South America for more than 300 years, and now has exploded throughout the south Florida cocktail scene. After hours of research and tastings, I have my Imbibe pisco decoder ring and can pass some knowledge to our readers.
Pisco is a clear, grape-based distilled spirit, that is similar to brandy. It sits between unflavored vodka and botanical gin. Some liken it to grappa, but it is much smoother and softer tasting. Like tequila, piscos come in three variations:
- Puro: single varietal
- Acholado: blend of two or more grape varietals
- Mosto Verde: distilled from partially fermented fresh-pressed grape juice
The origin of the pisco sour is hotly debated, with both Peru and Chili claiming it as their national cocktail. The two kinds of pisco and the two variations in the style of preparing the Pisco Sour are distinct in both production and taste. Read more here.
Where to imbibe
- Stache, 1920’s Drinking Den, Downtown Himmarshee District
- Sweet Nectar Charcoal Grille and Spirits, Las Olas Boulevard
- The Cocktail Collection at Tobacco Road, Miami
- Oceans 234 in Deerfield Beach features a Mango version
Try one yourself and tag @mymixologista to share your comments. This cocktail was created for Mixologista by her Consigliere of Craft, Nick Nistico, Premier Beverage Company. Photographed by MRA Photography.
Mixologista 
A Downtown Girl Mixing it up in the South Florida scene. The latest in craft cocktails & beers, food trends, culinary events and blogs. She’s a columnist for THINK Magazine’s Mixology & Gourmet, EyeonSouthFlorida.com and Go Riverwalk magazine’s BITES.
