Pisco Lemonade with Lemongrass and Mint

A super summer sipper (I love the alliteration 😀 ), Pisco Lemonade with Lemongrass and Mint requires a couple of fresh ingredients, a bottle of pisco, and a few minutes of “active” time… It’s a perfect hot-weather adult beverage, but leave out the pisco, and it’s bound to please young and old alike!

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.

~~ Gilbert Chesterton, English writer, poet, philosopher, journalist…

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – Recipe Inspiration

Having spent both June 2017 and June 2018 in Peru, I have come to love this beautiful and diverse country. It tugs at my heartstrings. In some small way, I feel Peruvian.

Many hours (and miles) were spent on foot, and I often spent that time in solitude… alone with my thoughts. This foodie brain tends to drift toward thoughts of food – what I enjoyed eating/drinking recently, and how might I re-create it in my own kitchen? So, at the end of the day, I tried to jot down those amazing ideas. But hey, I’m 59, I sometimes say “my brain is like a sieve.”

I have copious notes with ideas, only some of them ever make their way from scribbles to keyboard to post. This Pisco Lemonade was inspired by a glass of lemongrass lemonade I had at lunch one day. It was super simple, but so delicious and thirst quenching! It didn’t have ice, and it didn’t need it. You won’t often find ice in Peruvian beverages. Of course in the US we have a fascination with ice and icy cold beverages right? My Pisco Lemonade has ice. 🙂

🍸 About Pisco

Peru “owns” pisco, and please don’t let anyone say otherwise!  😆 Chileans may lay claim to pisco (and they market it as such), but pisco is like champagne. You can’t call it pisco if it’s not. The end. For more on pisco see The Complete Guide to Pisco.

Pisco is a colorless or light yellow to amber colored brandy (a liquor distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice). It is made from grapes grown in Peru, and by regulation cannot spend any time in wood at all unlike whiskeys, brandy, and rum . Rather it must be aged in a non-reactive container such as stainless steel or glass. The pristine grape flavor shines through in Pisco, and makes it a very versatile base for cocktails.

Pisco isn’t just for pisco sours anymore.  😉 Sip it neat, or try try one of these unique pisco cocktails: Chilcano de Maracuya (A Pisco and Passionfruit Cocktail), Star Anise Chilcano, a A Blood Orange Pisco Cocktail, or a Cupid’s Cup.

🍋 About Pisco Lemonade

My Pisco Lemonade really is a lemonade with pisco to add a delightful complexity to the flavor. Omit the pisco for a family-friendly version. A lemongrass simple syrup provides herbal sweetness, and I suggest you taste and adjust accordingly.

The syrup  can be made on the cooktop, or you can try the no-heat method I discussed in my Jalapeño-Cucumber Fizz Mocktail post. See notes in the recipe! You can also purchase commercial lemongrass syrup. Squeeze fresh lemons for goodness sake! Get a citrus squeezer and make quick work of about 12-15 lemons… Start with about 1/3 cup of lemongrass syrup, and add to taste.

📋 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.

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.

• fresh squeezed lemon juice
• water
• lemongrass simple syrup
• pisco
• ice
• fresh mint leaves
• lemon slices

🔪 Instructions

1. Make the lemonade – Combine lemon juice and water in pitcher.  Starting with 1/3 cup of syrup, taste for sweetness and adjust.
2. Add pisco. Stir well to combine.
3. Add ice to pitcher if desired.
4. Pour into highball glasses half full of ice. Garnish with a couple of sprigs of fresh mint and a lemon slice. Enjoy!

💭 Tips

About lemongrass syrup – As I mention in above, you can make the Lemongrass Syrup on the cooktop, or use the no-heat method. You can also purchase the syrup. Keep in mind cooling time if you cook it, and curing time if you do the no-heat method or this no-heat method. (I make it the day before, and store it in the refrigerator until I need it).

How much syrup should I use? My husband and I prefer tart to sweet, and we add about 1/2 cup of syrup to 4 cups total liquid. I recommend having 1 cup available so you can adjust to your preference (if you like it sweeter).

Can I make this non-alcoholic? You can leave out the pisco for a mocktail version.

Help! I can’t find pisco! – You can substitute vodka or brandy if you can’t find pisco.

Note – The calories are only an approximation. Your calories will depend on the amount of sweetener you use.

We hit 104° in McAllen, TX. yesterday (“real feel” 117°), and we’re headed to 108° today. I’m thinking it’s a good time to start squeezing lemons!

Share this post!