Angel of Mist at The Verdant Lady (Photo courtesy The Verdant Lady)
Pisco is a clear, once-distilled, unaged brandy made from grapes. Pisco is also a golden, syrupy, lower-alcohol brandy aged in oak barrels. What? The confusion comes down to a dispute over the tipple’s country of origin — and the name itself. The clear, potent Peruvian spirit contrasts with its caramel-colored Chilean counterpart, which uses different grape varieties, too: Peru recognizes eight pisco grapes, while Chile permits three. Water is typically added to Chilean pisco to reduce alcohol content and smooth out sharp edges from the multiple distillation process. To get to know pisco, start with Peru: Grab a bottle of Caravedo Pisco Quebranta, then head to these spots to see it shine in cocktails.
Easy Breezy
Intelligent cocktails are so satisfying. An ode to crisp freshness, the Easy Breezy is a fully realized whole of surprising parts: Macchu Pisco, Rhum JM, Rhum Clément Agricole Blanc, riesling, peach, lemon and green coriander.
Tindara
This sunset-colored beauty shows off how pisco and summer berries weave delicately, bringing in acidic pineapple to light it all up at this cafe by day, cocktail bar by night. Vermouth and bitters are also at play, so don’t expect a slurper — it’s juicy but refined.
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Ooh, girl. Savory tang bursts forth in this miso-laced stunner that marries pisco and apple-forward Alma de Trabanco. There’s a hint of perilla, too, while lime juice plays devil’s advocate, cutting through the nuttiness and underscoring the flavors of fall fruit.
Angel of Mist
Heart stealer here! The magicians at TVL wrought a peach and yellow pepper cordial to highlight the floral dewiness of pisco. A little citrus, a little soda, bam. Perfection. Plan to buy a round for the table.
