On our recent trip to Machu Picchu, we had a few troubles due to a two-day-long farmers’ strike that resulted in the main road through the Sacred Valley being blocked roughly every two kilometres. A very early (4 am) road start found us in Ollantaytambo waiting for our train to Aguas Calientes (the jump off town for Machu Picchu), which was also delayed by protesting farmers.
(You thought I was kidding. This is one of the road blocks – yes that is a toilet! Shoutout to my friend Jana for the photo!)
We were lucky to have booked Inca Rail First Class tickets. Despite the delay, we were not only welcomed on board for a lovely lunch, but allowed stay on the (much more comfortable) train while we waited to depart. We finally did depart at 7:30 pm. While we waited, the bartender, Juan E, the Pisco Sour master, agreed to give TravelFoodCool readers his recipe for Pisco Sours – for 3 people, or for 10 – as well as a bonus Pisco Chilcano recipe.
Juan introduced us to Amargo Chuncho bitters, the only bitters used in authentic Pisco Sours. It is a Peruvian bitter named after the ethnic group of Amazon Indians who resisted the Spanish conquistadors. Made in Lima and aged for six months in barrels, it is a complex combination of 30 various peels, herbs, roots, barks and flowers from the Peruvian forest. (Juan very kindly gave me a bottle of these bitters to take with us so that we can make our own authentic Pisco Sours at home!)
A big thank you to Juan and all the staff on the Inca Rail First Class car for turning a long and frustrating day into the best Andean train trip ever!
Pisco Sours
What you need for 3 people:
- Ice
- 6 oz Pisco
- 2 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz lemon juice
- 2 egg whites
- Amargo Chuncho bitters
What you do:
- To a larger shaker, add the ice and Pisco
- Add the simple syrup
- Add the lemon juice
- Carefully separate your egg whites
- Shake shake shake
- Shake some more
- Strain into glasses
- Top with Peruvian bitters. One drop of bitters is placed in the centre of the glass, so that, on taking that initial sip, your nose picks up the scent of the bitters and not the egg whites.
- Cheers!
- Enjoy!
What you need for 10 people:
- 1 1/3 cups Pisco
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 egg whites
- Ice ice baby
- Amargo Chuncho bitters
What you do:
- Add ice, Pisco, simple syrup, lemon juice to a blender
- Carefully separate your egg whites!
- Blitz it up!
- Pour into glasses
- Top with bitters
- Cheers!
Pisco Chilcano
What you need:
- 1 oz Pisco
- Ginger ale
- Ice
- Lime slice (garnish)
What you do:
- Fill a tall glass with ice
- Add the Pisco
- Top with ginger ale
- Stir
- Garnish with a lime slice
- Enjoy!
Proof that we finally make it to Machu Picchu!
