Dia del Pisco Sour
Peru in a Glass
Words by Jinky Romero Photos by Will Bowling
In the United States, the first weekend of February usually consists of pizza, beer, and football. However, in Peru, they celebrate Dia del Pisco Sour: a day dedicated to the country’s national cocktail. If there was ever a cocktail that deserved its own day, the Pisco Sour has earned it.
Pisco, which is fermented and distilled grapes, is the national Peruvian liquor. The spirit was first created as an alternative for brandy using the grapes brought in by Spanish settlers. It is very similar to brandy in its distillation process; however, brandy combines sugar and water, whereas Pisco is pure.
During the prohibition era, when cocktails were being formulated all over the world, Peruvians contributed to that creativity with Pisco. Their version—a take on the Whiskey Sour—substitutes the Whiskey for Pisco. Thus, the Pisco Sour cocktail was born.
Luckily for Austinites, a delicious and authentic Pisco Sour doesn’t have to be a plane ride away because Manor Road establishment, Yuyo, has brought the flavors of Peru to East Austin. Like most of their Peruvian dishes and drinks, Yuyo does the Pisco Sour perfectly due to Chef Maribel Rivero’s deep understanding of their multi-faceted cuisine. She immersed herself in their culture for years as she mastered the colorful flavors while studying to be a chef. “We developed the menu to really appeal to the Austin market, while still being consistent to the source.” Maribel shares of their creative process emphasizing how “it is crucial when you’re introducing an ethnic cuisine” to a community who may not be familiar with the flavor combinations.
Besides Pisco, the cocktail contains simple syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice, and egg whites for a frothy finish. Pisco seems to be the perfection between vodka and gin when it comes to flavor presence. The citrus addition to the drink not only pairs well with the liquor but also makes a tangy and refreshing cocktail to sip while lounging on Yuyo’s terra-cotta tiled patio speckled with lively greenery.
Pisco Sour isn’t the only Pisco cocktail Yuyo serves. They also have the Chicha Morada Sour, a combination of two of Peru’s favorite products: Pisco and purple corn. The Chicha Morada Sour is a sweeter alternative to the Pisco Sour. And the Pisco Punch is another crowd favorite. The punch is fruity, with the addition of orange and pineapple complementing the Pisco.
Truly, at its heart, Yuyo’s menu is about sharing the richness and diversity of Peruvian cuisine in its most authentic form, tweaking just the right amount to still have that familiar Austin flavor has become their art.
Happy Hour!
Start the week off right at Yuyo’s happy hour, available all night on Mondays and Tuesdays. The menu includes $3 beers, $5 Chifles and Papas, and $6 glasses of Pisco Punch and Sangria.
All In the Family:
Chef Maribel Rivero opened her restaurant, Yuyo, with her bother, Carlos Rivero, founder of El Chile Group, which consists of El Chilito, El Chile, El Alma and now Yuyo Peruano.
Contact:
(512) 919-4147
1900 Manor Rd.
yuyoaustin.com
