Chilcano
Chilcano is made with pisco, lime, Amargo Chuncho bitters and ginger ale in a built highball, chilled for serving.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Chill a Collins glass and prepare the garnish before mixing.
Fill the serving glass with fresh ice.
Add the measured ingredients and stir lightly to combine without flattening the mixer.
Set a fresh lime wedge on the rim.
A thoughtful finish
- Keep Amargo Chuncho distinct in the ingredient list; the selected recipe names those bitters.
- Keep the carbonated ingredient cold and open it close to serving.
- Chill the serving glass as well as the mixture so the first sip stays cold.
Common mistakes
- Ginger beer is usually more assertive than ginger ale and changes this particular highball.
- Over-stirring the finished drink drives off the bubbles that give it lift.
- A warm serving glass quickly undoes the chilling achieved during mixing.
A few good questions.
What is in a Chilcano?
Chilcano is made with pisco, lime, Amargo Chuncho bitters and ginger ale in a built highball.
Can I scale a Chilcano for more servings?
Multiply every measured ingredient by the same serving count. Prepare the measured still ingredients ahead if useful, but chill, shake or stir each serving as directed; add any carbonated finish at service.
Should I shake the fizzy ingredient?
Add carbonated ingredients outside a sealed shaker. Follow the finishing step so the bubbles remain in the glass rather than being shaken away.
Who created the Chilcano?
No individual creator is established by the source used here. The drink is associated with Peru.
Variations
- Another bottle of the base — Editorial bottle variation: use another producer of the same pisco style at the listed measure; record the bottle rather than assuming identical sweetness or strength.
- Alternate citrus garnish — Editorial presentation variation: use a different fresh citrus peel or slice for aroma without changing the measured liquids; garnish quantity is not an added juice measure.
Where it comes from
Peru
Chilcano is made with pisco, lime, Amargo Chuncho bitters and ginger ale in a built highball, chilled for serving.
Sources
- Difford’s Guide — Chilcano de Pisco (reference) link
Strength. About 1.47 US standard drinks at an estimated 13.1% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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