5 Iconic Peruvian Drinks You Must Try on Your Trip

​Hola, Sam from Lima Gourmet here. If I’ve learned one thing after years of guiding travelers through Lima's vibrant food culture, it’s that Peru’s drinks aren’t just tasty, they’re stories in a glass. They whisper of ancient rituals, regional pride, family celebrations, and modern-day reinvention.

Whether you're planning your first visit to Lima or curating your culinary journey across Peru, these five iconic Peruvian drinks will give your trip unforgettable flavor and maybe even turn that curiosity into a lasting adventure.

1. Pisco Sour: Peru’s National Cocktail & Culinary Show-stopper

Few drinks announce “Welcome to Peru!” quite like the Pisco Sour. This frothy, citrusy cocktail made with Peru’s own pisco grape brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and aromatic bitters is an instant favorite. We promise, there's a reason why it's now on international menus.

Why It’s Iconic
Originating in early 20th-century Lima (some say at Morris’ Bar), the Pisco Sour has evolved into a national symbol and our go-to icebreaker for tours. On our Lima food tours, we often invite guests to shake up their own Pisco Sour, complete with layered foam and lime zest. It’s as fun to make as it is to sip, and it’s the perfect toast to your Peruvian discovery.

Where to Experience It
This cocktail features prominently on both our AM Lima Food Tour and PM Lima Food Tour, where we guide you through city flavors and stories over a well-shaken Pisco Sour. Want a taste of the sunset by the sea? You'll find it in our PM Tour, served seaside before dinner amid the glow of Lima’s coastline.

2. Mistela: The Sweet Vineyard Secret

If you're drawn to something softer, meet the Mistela. A luscious aperitif or digestif made by blending pisco with grape must. It’s smooth, amber-hued, and perfect for sipping after dessert or sharing on special occasions. This is a libation that allows you to rub shoulders with Peru's past, "el Perú de antaño," as they say.

A Vineyard Tradition
Mistela thrives in regions like Ica and Tacna, where grape harvests were once celebrated with family-made batches. It symbolized abundance and hospitality, passed around in gatherings to toast the season’s fruits.

How We Share It
Mistela surfaces in our Lima cooking class or to end the night on a high during our Evening Food Tour.

3. Chicha: Ancient Depths, Modern Refreshment

Few drinks carry Peru’s history like Chicha. There’s Chicha de Jora, a fermented corn beer rooted in Inca ceremonies, and Chicha Morada, a non-alcoholic, spiced purple-corn beverage beloved today. With corn as such a food staple, you'll see its presence across the board.

A Taste of the Past
Chicha de Jora was brewed centuries ago in clay pots and poured during rituals honoring Pachamama. Today, regional festivals still serve it as a living link to the Inca Empire. Meanwhile, Chicha Morada is made by simmering purple corn with pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves to make a refreshment that’s as healthful (full of antioxidants) as it is tasty.

On the Tour & On the Table
In Lima, we love recommending guests who prefer non-alcoholic libations to try a sip of Chicha Morada paired with fresh ceviche, a local favorite, cool, sweet, and tangy all at once. Try it on our AM Lima Gourmet Tour, where tradition meets contemporary flavor amid the city's buzz.

4. Inca Kola: Peru’s Beloved Bubble-gum-Yellow Soda

If you’ve ever wondered what Peru’s answer to Coca-Cola would taste like, meet Inca Kola. Neon yellow, incredibly sweet, (bubble-gum flavored some say), it’s earned Peru’s affection, and even Coca-Cola had to accept it can’t out-sell Inca Kola!

Pop Culture in a Bottle
Launched in 1935, Inca Kola quickly became a fixture at family dinners and street-food stands. Today, it remains a national icon, children adore it, grandparents grew up with it, and visitors find it unexpected and utterly Peruvian.

Where to Sip It
Looking for a quirky contrast? Try an Inca Kola over your lomo saltado. Or ask your guide on our Lima Food Tours for a non-alcoholic surprising pairing. We love watching guests’ faces light up when they try it for the first time.

5. Lucuma Shake: The Gold of the Incas in Every Sip

If Peru had a dessert-in-a-glass, it would be the lucuma shake. Made from lucuma, a fruit with a creamy, caramel flavor, it’s healthy and indulgent all at once. When you taste it for the first time, you'll realize why it was once called the Gold of the Incas.

Incas Knew Best
Lucuma was revered by ancient Peruvians and its legacy lives on in modern desserts across the country: ice cream, mousse, cakes… but nothing showcases it better than a shake.

Tour Highlight
I remember one guest saying, “I’ll never taste anything like this again!” on our Lima Gourmet Tour. Find this unique flavor on our AM Lima Gourmet Food Tour.

More Than Flavor, It’s a Story in Every Sip

What makes these drinks unforgettable isn’t just their flavor, it’s their context. Each one carries centuries of culture, regional pride, and innovative spirit.

On our Lima Food Tours, you’ll discover:

• An unforgettable Pisco Sour demo as you stroll through two of Lima’s most charming neighborhoods.
• Mistela to end our experiences with a luxurious flavor.
• Chicha Morada served with ceviche or tiradito by the sea.
• Inca Kola as another non-alcoholic option, revealing how national love works.
• A lú­cuma shake that feels like a sweet secret told between friends at the end of the day.
  
  

Thinking of taking your trip a step further? We offer Private & Custom Lima Tours, ideal for families, groups, or anyone who’d love these flavors curated exactly for you.​

Want to Learn More Before You Go?

Need to know what to pack for Lima’s varied climates? Our Lima Travel Tips blog covers everything from packing for coastal walks to Andean altitude layering.

Curious about Lima’s must-visit museums and vibrant neighborhoods? Check our post on Lima’s top cultural hotspots: Barranco, MALI, Huaca Pucllana, and more.
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Want the full story of how Lima Gourmet started and why Sam and Lucas launched it? You’ll love our “Our Story” blog post.​

Raise a Glass (or Three) to Your Peruvian Adventure

Your Peruvian drink journey is more than a tasting, it’s a cultural immersion. Whether it’s the frothy Pisco Sour, the sweet mystery of Mistela, the ancestral flavors of Chicha, the nostalgic zing of Inca Kola, or the silky delight of a lúcuma shake, you’re sipping through centuries of heritage.

If you’re ready to make these flavors and their stories part of your Peru adventure, let us be your guide. Reach out to book one of our AM or PM Lima Gourmet Tours, explore day trips like Ica & the oldest vineyard in South America, or dream up a private experience just for you.

From "¡Salud!" to unforgettable memories, your taste of Peru awaits.

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