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Pisco sour: the national cocktail

Lima has developed quite a reputation as a culinary destination and not just for its food. The national cocktail has also conquered the world and virtually any self-respecting bar will serve a variation of the pisco sour.

Culinary

The pisco sour: a Peruvian classic

A pisco sour contains only 5 main ingredients: pisco, lime juice, beaten egg white, (Angostura) herbal bitter and sugar syrup. It is key to use lime juice and not lemon juice because it contains a very different degree of acidity. The taste, however, is also influenced by the grape species that are used; pisco can be made with 8 different grape varieties. Depending on the types of grapes used and the method of preparation, pisco sometimes resembles a tequila or may lean more towards a vodka. Just as with different types of wine, discerning gourmets will distinguish all kinds of flavours in pisco, from pear to roasted almonds, from cucumber to honey. Some types of pisco are enjoyed straight up and others are perfect for a pisco sour. In addition to this ‘sour’ classic, there are countless other pisco cocktails, made with mango, cucumber or ginger. There are many locations in Lima where they serve the perfect pisco sour. One of those is the Gran Hotel Bolivar, the famous hotel in the old city centre. Writer Ernest Hemingway is said to have knocked back a record number of pisco sours here. Staunch drinkers can still quench their thirst in style and order their cocktail in an extra large ‘cathedral glass'.

40 different cocktails

Huaringas is a real hotspot. This multi-storey lounge is located above the restaurant Brujas de Cachiche in the Miraflores district and is known for its great variety of pisco sour cocktails. This is a popular destination for Lima locals who come here for a drink before hitting the bigger nightclubs. The menu offers more than 40 types of pisco sour, so there is certainly one that you will enjoy.

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Arts & Culture

Nature

Culinary

Arts & Culture

Lima’s rich history is concentrated in the historical centre of the city, known by the Limeños as Cercado de Lima. The architecture consists of an interesting collection of 16th-century basilicas, convents, houses and squares. This unique cultural heritage on the shores of the Rimac River has been awarded a prestigious UNESCO World heritage designation.

Nature

Lima is a large and busy metropolis, but there are still some wonderful places where you can get away from it all and relax. The city boasts a number of beautiful city parks and lovely squares. Although these are the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic, these locations have more than just peace and greenery. Lima’s parks also offer lots of entertainment, romance, art, culture and exceptional biodiversity.

Culinary

Lima embodies the amazing variety of the Peruvian kitchen, known as one of the most diverse culinary traditions in the world. Whether you visit a lively street market, a small cevicheria or an award-winning restaurant, the huge selection of outstanding eateries makes Lima a culinary paradise.

Culinary

Eating out is a feast in Lima. Foodies have acclaimed Lima as the gourmet capital of South America. The ingredients for some of Peru’s exciting dishes come from all around the country: the mountains, the Amazon rainforest and of course the coast. The fresh fish and sea life of the Pacific Ocean offers Lima’s chefs beautiful ingredients to transform into delicious dishes, such as ceviche.

Nature

High in the Andes mountains lies Lake Titicaca, one of the largest lakes in South America. Since before the time of the Incas, the lake has played an important spiritual role in the lives of the local population. Visit the lake and enjoy spectacular views, a fascinating natural environment and encounters with ancient indigenous cultures.

Arts & Culture

Baroque churches, elegant palaces and ancient catacombs – the historic city centre of Lima offers visitors a glimpse of many centuries of history. Until the middle of the 18th century, the 'City of Kings' as Lima is also called, was the centre of the Spanish New World. The ornate historic buildings testify to this wealthy period in Peruvian history. One of the most beautiful colonial structures is the San Francisco monastery, a peaceful oasis in the heart of Lima.

Nature

There are several islands in the Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of Lima. The prettiest are the Palomino and Cabinzas islands which are known for their unspoiled natural beauty and the large diversity of animals that inhabit them, such as pelicans, Humboldt penguins and sea lions.

Arts & Culture

Centuries-old pyramids and temples in the heart of the city: there is no need to travel to the Andes mountains to learn about Peru’s old civilisations. Lima itself is home to a large number of ruins, or 'huacas', remnants of civilisations that preceded the Incas. These ruins are spread over the city –Huaca Pucllana lies in the very heart of the modern Miraflores district.

Arts & Culture

Hidden between the tops of the Andes mountains are the majestic ruins of the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The palaces, squares and temples of Machu Picchu are situated at an altitude of 2,430 metres and were built around 1440. A visit to this ‘new’ wonder of the world, one of South America’s most popular attractions, is essential when you travel to Peru.

Arts & Culture

The Plaza de Armas, also called the Plaza Mayor, is the cradle of Lima. This is where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima in 1535, making it the oldest square in the city. The historic grandeur is reflected in the buildings around the square, such as the Palacio de Gobierno, the Palacio Arzobispal and the Cathedral.

Arts & Culture

Some 400 kilometres from Lima you will discover a centuries-old mystery, spread out over the red sands of the pampas. The Nazca Lines comprise around 300 sand drawings of animals, insects and mythical creatures. The prehistoric creations, many kilometres in size, are still easily recognisable after 2,000 years. The Nazca Lines were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.