Chicha Morada Cocktail

With a subtle hint of spice and fruit, and its gorgeous red-violet hue, this unique Chicha Morada Cocktail is sure to delight at your next cocktail party or elegant summer soirée! With your homemade chicha morada or store-bought chicha morada, dry vermouth, Peruvian pisco, and fresh fruit garnish, this stunning cocktail comes together in 5 minutes.

A gorgeous red-violet hued Chicha Morada  Cocktail garnished with a pineapple chunk and a lime twist in a coupe glass... a truly unique cocktail!

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – Chicha Morada Cocktail Recipes

With the recent emphasis on Peruvian cuisine and beverages, chicha morada (aka purple corn drink) is getting a closer look. This deep purple non-alcoholic beverage is made with maiz morado (purple corn), spices, and fruit. It’s actually healthy, and very refreshing. When I make a batch of chicha morada, we have chicha morada over ice (non-alcoholic), in mazamorra morada (purple corn pudding), and in this chicha morada and pisco cocktail.

Given that chicha morada has been discovered, I have found recipes using rum, tequila, and other base spirits. I chose to stick with the Peruvian ubiquitous spirit – pisco. If you have the chicha morada, the cocktail takes 5 minutes. If you love trying unique cocktails, you won’t want to miss this one!

The ingredients for the Chicha Morada Cocktail has been added to the shaker with ice. It sits on a tarnished silver tray with a jigger.

🍸 What is Pisco?

IN the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. But after such hard work, he was thirsty. And thus could think of nothing better than to create the grape and, from its fruit, make a fine spirit. He called it PISCO. And he saw that it was good. And it became the elixir of other gods. Later, he continued to entertain himself creating the animals, plants and the rest of the world.

~~ Museo del Pisco, Cuzco, Peru.

Pisco is Peruvian. Trust me. Chile claims pisco, but their standards do not produce the elixir of the gods we’ve come to know and love in Peru.

Finding Pisco in the US is not the “wild goose chase” it once was, although you may not find a large selection of brands. Having done 4 month-long trips to Peru, we have had opportunities to taste many brands; for purposes of this cocktail, whatever brand you are able to find will be fine!

One of our first stops when landing in Cuzco is the Museo del Pisco. You’ll find a lot of interesting information on their website

📋 Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for the Chicha Morada Cocktail on a wood cutting board with spices.
  • chicha morada – You can either make homemade chicha morada (I highly recommend), or buy chicha morada. At any rate, you need to have chilled chicha morada on hand.
  • pisco – When we first started buying pisco after our first trip to Peru, we could only find one rather expensive brand of pisco in the US. Six years later, we have 3 or 4 options. You do not need a sipping pisco. You just need a mixing pisco. Whatever brand is available to you – providing it’s Peruvian – will work.
  • vermouth – I keep my cocktails dry, and typically choose dry vermouth. I have also used Cocchi Rosa (somewhat sweeter). I probably wouldn’t recommend red vermouth unless you prefer sweeter cocktails.
  • ginger syrup – You have options. You can make ginger simple syrup, or you can buy ginger simple syrup.
  • garnishes – I chose a pineapple chunk and lime twist on photo day. You can use any citrus, a thin-sliced apple, etc. Be creative!

🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Finish cocktail – Shake vigorously for a slow count of ten. Strain into a coupe or martini glass, and garnish as (or if) desired. Enjoy!
2 unique Chicha Morada Cocktails on a tarnished silver tray with whole cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and a grey cloth napkin.

❓ FAQ

Can I substitute other liquor for pisco?

Pisco is a specific, well-regulated brandy type spirit made from grapes. I would suggest using brandy if you want to substitute or can’t find pisco.

Is store-bought chicha morada decent?

I have had many Gloria brand products in Peru. They’ve been excellent. I feel confident recommending their chicha morada, though I’ve not tried it.

I love unique cocktails, and I love pisco cocktails. This chicha morada cocktail is both, and I think you’ll love it. I do hope you’ll give it a try, but if you do, please leave feedback in the comments section at the bottom of the post!

Signature in red and green with chiles and limes. Healthyish Latin cuisine.

2 coupe glasses with chicha morada cocktails on a tarnished silver tray.

Chicha Morada Cocktail

Pisco, vermouth, chicha morada, and ginger syrup in a unique and stunning cocktail!
4.91 from 10 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Beverages
Cuisine Peruvian
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ ounces pisco
  • 1 ounce dry white vermouth or Cocchi Rosa - see Notes below
  • 1 ½ ounces chicha morada
  • ½ ounce ginger simple syrup
  • lime twist and/or pineapple chunk - optional

Instructions

  • Add the liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker about half full of ice.
  • Shake vigorously to a slow count of 10.
  • Strain into a coupe or martini glass
  • Garnish as desired.

Notes

We have made this with both dry vermouth and Cocchi Rosa. I prefer dry vermouth, while my husband prefers the Cocchi Rosa. The flavor profile of the dry vermouth is very dry (not sweet) with bitter, floral, and herbal notes. Cocchi Rosa starts with red wine (giving it a beautiful rose-colored hue), and has a hint of bitter gentian root, with floral, citrus, vanilla, and rose petals notes. We literally love it both ways!
Calories are an approximation only from MyFitnessPal.com. When I entered the ingredients, I actually got 126 calories, and I double-checked each ingredient. They were correct. I padded it a little to be cautious!

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal

NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

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14 Comments

  1. Hi- I’m planning my wedding for October and am looking for a signature drink. I am half Peruvian and loved drinking Chicha Morada as a child and still do as an adult, so I’m so grateful to have found this recipe. Do you think we can mix/ prepare it ahead of time (like that morning or early afternoon) like a punch or sangria?? We won’t have an official bartender who will know how to mix drinks, just someone who will open and pour. We were originally going to have canned cocktails, but would love this instead.

  2. You always come up with the most interesting recipes and cocktails and the color of that cocktail is stunning!
    What a beautiful cocktail for the holidays. My husband has traveled to South America on business and enjoyed various cocktails so I know he’ll enjoy this. Just need to round up some of those ingredients!

  3. I’ve loved following your Peruvian adventures and now I can enjoy a legit Peruvian cocktail while I check out your amazing photos and descriptions. I adore ginger in all its forms, so this drink is particularly up my alley. I probably won’t do every bit homemade, but can definitely manage the homemade ginger simple syrup.

    1. I agree with your thinking 100%! The chicha morada is a bit time-consuming, and in a cocktail, it’s not going to make a huge difference… Ginger simple syrup, on the other hand, is so simple (and delicious)!

      I must admit I’m missing those Peruvian adventures. 😉

  4. I first want to start with making my chicha morada! What a beautiful introduction to a great cultural tradition! From there I will graduate to making this cocktail. Thank you for introducing me to something new and exciting!

    1. Yay! That makes me happy Ansh! There is nothing like homemade chicha morada, and once you’ve got it made, you can include it in other recipes (or just drink it solo with ice)!

  5. What a perfect way to kick off our celebration! I love Pisco, it is one of my favorite liquors to cook with, and in this drink, I know it would be spectacular. They are so gorgeous, what beauties! Thanks for sharing a new-to-me treat!