Ingredients
Layers
- 30 mlgrenadine
- 60 mlpisco
- 120 mlorange juice
- 20 mlmint syrup or crème de menthe
Also
- crushed ice
Garnish
- a mint sprig
- an orange slice
Directions
- Chill everything, including the glass, before you start.
- Pour the grenadine into the bottom of a tall glass first.
- Fill the glass carefully with crushed ice, right to the top.
- Pack the ice properly.
- Shake the pisco and orange juice together with ice, then strain them slowly over the back of a spoon held against the inside of the glass, just above the grenadine.
- Pour over the spoon and pour slowly. Do not stir it at any stage, because one turn of a spoon undoes all three layers.
- Garnish with mint and an orange slice, and serve with a straw so it can be drunk from the bottom up.
Technique
- Pisco puro or acholado both work; the quebranta grape variety is the usual base.
- The layers collapse within a few minutes, which is normal and expected.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice makes a considerable difference.
Substitutions
- Crème de menthe in place of mint syrup, which is stronger and more alcoholic.
- Any clear grape brandy if pisco is unavailable.
Variations
- Made with more pisco, as a stronger drink.
- Blended with ice as a frozen version, which loses the layers entirely.
- With pineapple juice in place of orange.
History
A Cusco bar cocktail, poured slowly so the syrups sit in bands of green and red.
Frequently asked questions
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is a cocktail from Peru: layered cocktail of pisco, orange juice, mint syrup and grenadine. A Cusco bar cocktail, poured slowly so the syrups sit in bands of green and red.
How long does Machu Picchu take to make?
Machu Picchu takes 5 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 1 drink. It is rated medium to make.
What can I substitute in Machu Picchu?
Yes, within limits. Crème de menthe in place of mint syrup, which is stronger and more alcoholic. Any clear grape brandy if pisco is unavailable.
What is the most important thing to get right in Machu Picchu?
Pour over the spoon and pour slowly. Do not stir it at any stage, because one turn of a spoon undoes all three layers.
