Inspiring aromas of pisco, the spirit of Peru:
The Shaft Cocktail
The shaft cocktail is a Western Canadian drink named after John Shaft, the main character of the 1971 cult movie, Shaft. According to hearsay, the drink got its name because it is tall, dark, and cool, as John Shaft. Most people agreed that Calgary, Alberta, is the cocktail’s origin city. By 2000 the shaft cocktail […]
Honouring Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, stands in a spectacular setting that challenges even the most imaginary minds. Now one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu has been honoured with a cocktail that bears its name. The origin of this cocktail is not known exactly. However, it is believed […]
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a popular cocktail made with coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream. The origins of Irish coffee are somewhat disputed, but it is generally believed that the drink was first created in the early 1940s by Joe Sheridan, bartender at the Foynes Airbase in County Limerick, Ireland. Foynes was an important hub for […]
Chilcano
The history of chilcano—ice, pisco, a few drops of lime juice, and topped with ginger ale—is still a mystery, different versions try to explain its origin. Among all versions there are a couple that are connected by time and purpose. Chilcano was the cocktail to drink in the mornings after a party night, to cut […]
San Francisco’s Pisco Punch
During the California gold rush around 1849, the Peruvian spirit, pisco, was readily available in San Francisco, and it was at the Bank Exchange bar where the famous drink, pisco punch, was invented. Pisco is a varietal spirit made with grapes cultivated in the southern coast of Peru. In its early days, the spirit was […]