Introduction

Peru has a great reputation for interesting drinks. Pisco is made by distilling white wine, not unlike the cognac process. The resultant liquer lent itself to mixing, and the famous cocktail Pisco Sours, was born. This drink is a mix of Pisco with lemon juice, icing sugar and egg whites.

Visit livinginperu.com for some great Pisco cocktail recipes

Chicha

This mildly alcoholic Andean drink was originally produced by women chewing corn and spitting the masticated result into warm water, to start a fermentation process. A type of corn beer was created and is now as varied as the different kinds of corn which are grown. It is also frequently flavoured with for example strawberries!

No-one knows how long this drink has been around, but it certainly pre-dated the Conquistadores. However, the Spanish adopted the drink and the name `chicha` is from the spanish word for `spit`.

Coca tea

This is a very refreshing tea made from the coca leaf. The tea is ideal for helping visitors acclimatise to altitudes, so is given to hikers on the Inca Trail.