Pisco Sour Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cocktail Drinking Liquor
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: First Saturday of February
Holiday emoji:: 🍹

Pisco Sour Day celebrates Peru’s national drink, the Pisco Sour, every first Saturday in February. This tangy, frothy cocktail is a staple in Peruvian culture, enjoyed in bars and homes alike. Mix up your own, explore its rich history, and raise a glass to this South American classic!

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History
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FAQs
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Expected Pisco Sour Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that bars and restaurants, especially those specializing in Latin American cuisine, will offer specials on Pisco Sours. Expect local establishments and Peruvian restaurants like Panca or Pio Pio to feature discounted cocktails. Liquor stores such as Total Wine & More and BevMo! may run promotions on Pisco brands like Pisco Portón and Barsol Pisco, along with cocktail ingredients like fresh limes and egg whites. Keep an eye on online retailers like Drizly for delivery deals. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as February 2027 approaches.

Platform Guide for Pisco Sour Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #PiscoSourDay. Film a quick tutorial on mixing the perfect Pisco Sour, or share your favorite Peruvian food pairings.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PiscoSourDay. Share vibrant photos of your Pisco Sour creations or a behind-the-scenes look at a cocktail-making class.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PiscoSourDay. Post a poll asking followers about their favorite Pisco Sour variations or share a virtual tasting event.

Pisco Sour Day Hero

Victor V. Morris

Victor V. Morris, an American bartender, is widely credited with inventing the Pisco Sour in Lima, Peru, around 1916. He opened 'Morris' Bar' where he served the popular cocktail, adapting the traditional Whiskey Sour recipe with Peruvian pisco. His innovation laid the groundwork for what would become Peru's national drink, solidifying his legacy in cocktail history.

History of Pisco Sour Day

The birth of vineyards in 16th century Peru and Chile led to the production of ‘aguardiente’ — a strong alcoholic drink distilled from fermented grapes. Eventually, Peruvians adopted the name of the place whence this drink was shipped out: Pisco. Chile embraced the name change and called their ‘aguardiente’ Pisco as well.

Although the true origins of the Pisco Sour are hotly debated by mixologists and historians, a common story involves the American bartender Victor Vaughen Morris who, if he didn’t invent the drink, certainly helped make it extremely famous in Peru and the world. While working at a railway company in Peru, Morris was put in charge of overseeing celebrations on the completion of a railway project. Halfway through the party, Morris realized that the nearly 5000 guests had consumed all the whiskey. So, he mixed Pisco into a cocktail and accidentally created the Pisco Sour (or what we’d call version one). The official timeline for this momentous event is also under debate. What we do know is that Morris opened his own bar in Lima, Peru, in 1916, and the very first mention of the Pisco Sour occurred in 1920, in the September issue of “Hogar,” a Peruvian magazine. Subsequent articles and advertisements also attribute Morris as the inventor of this drink, although the people of Chile believe the Pisco Sour was invented by English steward Elliot Stubb in 1872 in Chile.

Either way, this drink underwent a revolution in the 1900s. First, in 1924 a bartender under Morris’ apprenticeship, Mario Bruiget, added egg whites and Angostura bitters, creating the current version of the beloved drink. The Chilean version of the Pisco Sour began making the rounds by 1927; then, after Morris’ bar closed down in 1929, his bartenders took the Pisco Sour recipe to their new jobs, spreading the drink all over Peru. The 1930s saw this drink in California, and thirty years later in New York.

For now, this drink is special to both Peru and Chile, and people have their preference as to which version of Pisco Sour they enjoy.

Pisco Sour Day timeline

1988

Source of National Pride

The Pisco Sour is declared part of Peru's national heritage by their National Institute of Culture.

2003

Our Day Is Born

First comes National Pisco Sour Day — an official government holiday in Peru — which leads to establishing an International Pisco Sour Day so the world can enjoy this drink too.

2010

A Pisco Fountain

In Lima, local authorities team up with a Peruvian supermarket chain to temporarily convert a central water fountain at a plaza into a pisco fountain.

2017

Guess Who Loves Pisco Sours?

Ed Sheeran publicly states his preference for Peruvian Pisco Sour while interviewing at a Chilean radio station.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Pisco Sour Day

Local bars and restaurants can celebrate Pisco Sour Day by offering special promotions on the cocktail, perhaps a ‘buy one, get one’ deal or a flight of Pisco Sours featuring different Pisco varietals. Establishments could also host Pisco Sour making classes, allowing customers to learn the craft firsthand. Consider partnering with a local Peruvian restaurant to offer food pairings that complement the drink, creating a full cultural experience for patrons.

Pisco Sour Day FAQs

When is Pisco Sour Day?

In 2027, Pisco Sour Day is celebrated on Saturday, February 6, marking another weekend dedicated to this iconic Peruvian drink. Plan ahead for festivities and enjoy its unique blend of flavors.

What are the main ingredients in a Pisco Sour?

A traditional Pisco Sour combines Pisco, freshly squeezed lime juice, a touch of simple syrup for sweetness, an egg white for its signature foam, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters for aroma. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and spirit.

Is Pisco Sour popular outside Peru?

Beyond Peru, the Pisco Sour’s popularity continues to grow globally, driven by an increasing appreciation for craft cocktails and unique spirits. Bartenders worldwide are embracing Pisco for its versatility and distinctive flavor profile.

What is the difference between Peruvian and Chilean Pisco Sour?

While both countries claim the drink, the Peruvian Pisco Sour strictly uses Peruvian Pisco, which is unaged and unadulterated. The Chilean variant, however, often uses Chilean Pisco (which can be aged and diluted) and typically foregoes the egg white, resulting in a different texture and flavor profile.

Pisco Sour Day Activities

Taste a Pisco Sour
Check out if bars and restaurants near you serve this drink, and make sure to grab a glass or two. Or, you can try your hand at making your own Pisco Sours with recipes easily found online.
Indulge in a Peruvian feast
Do like the Peruvians and pair the Pisco Sour with ceviche (a popular Peruvian dish). You can also check out what other special food Peruvians eat during their Pisco Sour celebrations and try the same food pairings at home.
Play Pisco Sour games
Finish a Pisco Sour before the Peruvian national anthem concludes or host a competition to see who can create the best Pisco Sour recipes. There are plenty of ways to game this day up and have fun with friends and family.

5 Fun Facts About Pisco And Pisco Sour

An official flagship product
Pisco joins the ranks of other special Peruvian exports such as coffee, cotton, and quinoa.
Two days of Pisco celebrations
First, we've got the National Pisco Sour Day (also International Pisco Sour Day), then, we have Pisco Day, which is held on the fourth Saturday of July each year.
The Pisco Punch
Famous writers such as Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling loved this pineapple-infused pisco drink, which was famous in San Francisco from the late 1800s to the 1900s.
Pisco Sour-loving celebrities
Ernest Hemingway once declared this as one of his favorite drinks — rumor has it that Hollywood legends Ava Garnder and John Wayne also fell in love with this drink while on a trip to Lima, Peru.
It’s a brandy
By distilling fermented grape juice, Pisco is made — just like brandies.

Why We Love Pisco Sour Day

It's the true taste of Peru
We're getting a glimpse at a drink that has gripped a nation (two nations?) for centuries and continues to do so even today.
Pisco Sours are delicious
The original version(s) of this cocktail is a wonderful mix of flavors blending harmoniously with the unique taste of the Pisco. Who can find fault with this?
Pisco Sours can be customized too
While the classic recipe is always a favorite, recent variations have paired the versatile Pisco with so many other ingredients. There is now a taste (and Pisco Sour version) for everyone.