Noble Pisco Sour: The Sagittarius Cocktail Recipe

Noble Pisco Sour: The Sagittarius Cocktail Recipe

Freedom-loving Sagittarians may already know this one from their travels, because the pisco sour is one of South America's most famous cocktails. Our Mixtrology pick for Sagittarius is the Noble Pisco, a drink that shows off pisco, a type of aguardiente, or South American distilled brandy. Tart, frothy, and just sweet enough, it is a delicious way to pour a drink and broaden your horizons at the same time. Here is how to make it.

Ingredients

  • 2.5 oz pisco (the Peruvian or Chilean grape brandy that defines the drink; note: CWS does not currently stock pisco, see the product note)
  • 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 1 egg white (for that signature pisco sour foam)
  • 2 dashes of bitters, to finish

How to Prepare

  1. Add the pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously to chill and build the foam that gives a pisco sour its body.
  2. Strain into a rocks glass over ice, or into a stemmed glass for a more elegant look.
  3. Shake a few dashes of bitters over the egg white foam for a beautiful contrasting garnish.
  4. Enjoy.

Style of Glass to use

Rocks glass (or a stemmed coupe)

Color of Drink

Pale cloudy yellow with a white foam cap

Cocktail Flavor Profile

Tart, citrusy, frothy and lightly sweet

Skill Level

Intermediate Level

What Is Pisco?

Pisco is a clear grape brandy produced in Peru and Chile, distilled from fermented grape must. It brings bright, floral, slightly fruity notes that make it the backbone of the pisco sour.

Why the Egg White Matters

The egg white is not for flavor; it creates the silky foam cap that a proper pisco sour is known for. For an even thicker head, try a dry shake (shake without ice first), then add ice and shake again.

Peruvian vs. Chilean Pisco Sour

The Peruvian version uses lime, egg white, and bitters, as here. The Chilean version often skips the egg white and bitters and uses lemon. Both are worth trying.

Garnish and Glassware

A few dots of Angostura bitters swirled on the foam is traditional. Serve in a rocks glass over ice for a casual pour or a coupe for something more elegant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pisco sour made of?

Pisco, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and a few dashes of bitters on top.

What does a pisco sour taste like?

Tart and citrus-forward with a light sweetness and a smooth, frothy texture from the egg white.

Can I make a pisco sour without egg white?

Yes. Use aquafaba (chickpea brine) for a vegan foam, or leave it out for a thinner, still tasty drink.

What kind of pisco should I use?

A clear, unaged Peruvian or Chilean pisco works best for a classic pisco sour.

Do you shake or stir a pisco sour?

Shake, and hard. The vigorous shake chills the drink and whips the egg white into foam.

Is a pisco sour strong?

It is moderately strong, with 2.5 ounces of brandy balanced by lime and syrup.

Noble Pisco
Sour: The Pro Tips

Dry shake without ice first, then shake again with ice for the thickest, longest-lasting foam. Dot a few drops of bitters on the foam and drag a toothpick through them for a pretty finish.

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