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.
👩🏻🍳 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!
🍸 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
Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.
- 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!
❓ FAQ
Can I substitute other liquor for pisco?
Is store-bought chicha morada decent?
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!
Chicha Morada Cocktail
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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
Nutrition
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.
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.
Congratulations on your upcoming engagement! I’m hesitant to say the chicha morada cocktail can be mixed that far in advance because I haven’t tried it. However, I do have a Peruvian-inspired sangria that I have recommended for batch cocktails – https://beyondmeresustenance.com/peruvian-sangria-with-pisco/. I have made it in pitchers for a party, and it does work well. Good luck!
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!
Thanks Carol! We eat (and drink) with our eyes, right?
I can’t wait to try this – with ginger simple syrup it’s got to be amazing.
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.
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. 😉
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!
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)!
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!
Thanks so much Jane! And Pisco finds its way into my cooking occasionally as well! We love its unique flavor…
It’s gorgeous! I have everything but the red stuff darn it!! Time to go to the store.
That darn chicha morada! Lol. You can always order it from Amazon. 😉
Wow, such a gorgeous, intriguing cocktail! It sounds absolutely wonderful!