Welcome spring with this straightforward Pisco Collins recipe! Combining Pisco, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and soda water, this zesty cocktail is just right for the awakening season.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
192
Ingredients
- 2 oz Pisco
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 3-4 oz Club Soda - to top
- Lime zest twist or wheel - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Collins Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Simple Syrup: Measure and pour ¾ oz simple syrup into the shaker.
- Add Lime Juice: Squeeze 1 oz fresh lime juice into the shaker.
- Add Pisco: Pour 2 oz Pisco into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Collins glass and use the cocktail strainer to remove any excess water inside. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the shaken drink into the ice filled glass.
- Top with Soda: Top up the glass 3-4 oz Club Soda and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish: Garnish with a lime wheel or a lime zest twist (express the lime zest on top of the glass and place it on the rim of the glass).
Notes
Substitutes:
- Pisco: If you can't find Pisco, you can substitute white grappa. This Italian grape spirit has a flavor profile that’s quite similar to pisco and can work well in this drink.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Bottled lime juice can work in a pinch if you're out of fresh lemons, but I always recommend fresh when possible for the best flavor. Fresh lemon juice can also be used for making this drink.
- Simple Syrup: If you don't have simple syrup on hand, you can make your own by combining equal parts sugar and water and heating until the sugar dissolves. Alternatively, agave nectar or honey can be used as natural sweeteners too.
Making a Pitcher of Pisco Collins:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Pisco, 8 oz of fresh lime juice, and 6 oz of simple syrup.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Pisco, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled Collins glasses and top up with club soda. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Pisco Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic white grape juice, preferably unsweetened, or apple juice as a substitute for Pisco.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular spirit, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Pisco Collins cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including Pisco, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Pisco Collins?
A Pisco Collins is a brandy-type cocktail made of Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and soda water. It’s relatively easy to make as it involves the standard procedure for most cocktails: combining ingredients in a shaker with ice, straining into a glass, and topping off with soda water.
This drink is a variant of the well-known Tom Collins cocktail. The critical difference lies in substituting gin with Pisco – essentially grape brandy from Peru or Chile. This substitution gives rise to an exciting blend that retains the refreshing nature of its parent cocktail while introducing unique flavors courtesy of the Pisco.
What is a Pisco Collins made of – The ingredients
These are the ingredients you need to create a Pisco Collins:
- Pisco: A type of brandy from Peru or Chile, it serves as the strong, flavorful base of the cocktail.
- Lime Juice: Adds a tangy freshness that balances out the potency of the Pisco.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the drink and helps blend the flavors smoothly.
- Soda Water: Provides a fizzy lift that lightens the overall drink.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the cocktail, enhancing its taste and refreshing quality.
- Lime zest or wheel (for garnish): Adds visual appeal and a hint of extra flavor to the cocktail.
