As you know, Manhattan with a Twist obviously loves cocktails. Each and every spirit is different, unique, and enjoyable in its own way. Here in America, we can’t get enough vodka, rum, bourbon and more, but there is one spirit in particular that not many Americans know about. Pisco, which is Chile’s national spirit, is a grape brandy with great flavor. On August 1st, Pisco Control, Chile’s leading producer of premium Piscos, launched the first ever Pisco educational tour in the U.S. called “Million Rays of Sunshine,” which got it’s name when Chilean Nobel Laureate poet Pablo Neruda described the spirit at a million rays of sun in a single drop. The tour kicked off in New York City at speakeasy den, Bathtub Gin. The tour welcomes craft bartenders, key members of the spirits trade and media to learn all about this overshadowed spirit.
Claudia Olmedo, renowned Pisco expert and author of 40 Grados, guided guests in a tasting of this unique South American distillate. Attendees tried three different style of Chilean Piscos, produced from Moscatel, Torontel, and Pedro Jimenez varietals. First, we sampled Pisco Control C, a white Pisco and the most common Pisco found in Chile. This would go great in a Pisco Sour. Next, we sampled Mistral, an aged Pisco that had mild scents of clover, vanilla, and orange peels. This was a really great Pisco and would be great to drink on the rocks. Last but not least, we tried the world’s first above proof Pisco, Mistral 46°, which is 46% alcohol by volume, as opposed to the average 40%. This Pisco was surprisingly smooth and went down easy.
Attendees were also privy to wise words from other Pisco celebrities. In attendance all the way from Chile were Hugo Ovando, general manager of Compañía Pisquera de Chile, Juan Pablo Solis de Ovando, director of exportation at Compañía Pisquera de Chile, and Jaime Binder, export director of Pisco Control C. After the guided tasting, guests were provided small bites from Bathtub Gin, as well as specialty Pisco cocktails served by top Latin mixologists, including Orson Salicetti, Miguel Aranda and Camille Austin. The cocktails were amazing; whether you like something fruity and tropical or more liquor-heavy, they had a cocktail for everybody. Make one for yourself and see what Pisco is all about — we’ve got their great recipes below!
Hemingway C (Created by Orson Salicetti)
2 oz. Pisco Control C
2 oz. pink grapefruit juice (fresh)
½ oz. lime juice (fresh)
¼ oz. Combier Liqueur d’Orange
¼ oz. agave nectar
5 drops Decanter Bitters
Bar spoon Maraschino Liqueur
5-10 drops absinthe
Shake and strain in a chilled rocks glass with new ice and garnish with sage, pink peppercorn and pink grapefruit.
Pisco Control Punch (Created by Miguel Aranda)
2 oz. pineapple juice(fresh)
½ oz. Pisco Control C infused Vanilla
½ oz. lemon juice (fresh)
½ oz. ginger syrup
In a shaker add all ingredients. Shake well and pour on rocks in Collins glass. Garnish with pineapple leaf.
El Beso Chileno (Created by Camille Austin)
2 oz. Pisco Control C
¾ oz. Combier Pamplemousse
¾ oz. grapefruit juice (fresh)
¼ oz. lime juice (fresh)
¼ oz. simple syrup
1 egg white (pasteurized)
Shake with 1 grapefruit zest for added spice, double strain into a coupe. Garnish with multi-color pansy and cracked black pepper.
