Glendon Hartley, a DC-based bartender and owner of Service Bar, Causa, and Amazonia, shares his expertise on the Chilcano cocktail. He discusses its refreshing blend of pisco, ginger, and lime, revealing its intriguing history and cultural roots in Peru. Glendon explains the artistry behind crafting this drink, balancing flavors and innovative garnishing techniques. He also highlights the diverse types of Pisco and how they influence the cocktail experience, making the Chilcano a must-try for cocktail enthusiasts!
The Chilcano, a refreshing cocktail, primarily combines pisco and ginger ale, celebrated for its simplicity and revitalizing qualities.
Bartender Glendon Hartley emphasizes the significance of quality ingredients, particularly fresh ginger syrup, for achieving a balanced and flavorful Chilcano.
The historical origins of the Chilcano showcase its cultural significance, linking it to both Italian immigrants and traditional Peruvian revitalizing soups.
Deep dives
Understanding Salera Aging
Salera aging is a unique process that blends rums ranging in age from 6 to 23 years. This technique, inspired by fine wines from Jerez in Spain, has been a fundamental practice for Zacapa number 23 Rum. The rums undergo this aging process at high altitudes referred to as 'the house above the clouds,' which contributes to the distinct flavor profile of the final product. This combination of Salera aging and altitude results in a rum that stands out in the spirits industry, offering a unique story that can be shared.
The Chilcano: A Refreshing Highball
The Chilcano is a refreshing highball cocktail that features Pisco and ginger ale as its primary ingredients. This drink, which is often associated with hangover cures in Peru, blends zesty flavors with a crisp and revitalizing quality. While some variations may include lime and bitters, the essence of the Chilcano lies in its simplicity, making it a favorite choice for both casual drinkers and aficionados. It serves as a testament to how a straightforward recipe can hold rich historical and cultural significance.
Dual Histories of the Chilcano
Two primary origin stories exist for the Chilcano, highlighting its vibrant historical context. One theory traces the drink’s roots to Italian immigrants in the early 1900s who adapted their cocktail recipes using Pisco in South America. The other theory links the Chilcano to a traditional soup from Southern Peru, using similar revitalizing ingredients like ginger and lime. This soup, thought to serve as a hangover cure, suggests that the Chilcano cocktail emerged as a more spirited alternative for social settings.
Elevating the Chilcano Experience
Bartender Glendon Hartley discusses the importance of high-quality ingredients when crafting a Chilcano, emphasizing that the best cocktails balance flavor and freshness. At his establishments, he creates a ginger syrup from fresh ginger blended with sugar and water, intending to highlight the ginger's zing without overpowering the Pisco. He also notes that using well-carbonated soda enhances the drink's texture, leading to a more enjoyable experience. The goal is to ensure that each sip captures the essence of both the Pisco and ginger, resulting in a perfectly structured cocktail.
Pisco Varietals and Selection
Pisco is a diverse spirit made from various grape varietals, with different styles offering unique tasting notes. Key types include Que Branta and Italia, each contributing distinct flavors to cocktails like the Chilcano. Hartley advocates for trying different varietals to appreciate their individual characteristics, highlighting that many cocktails can thrive on the nuanced profiles of Pisco. For at-home enthusiasts, selecting a Que Branta Pisco is often recommended due to its availability and flavor compatibility with cocktails.
You’ve mastered the Pisco Sour and Punch, impressed your friends with El Capitan, now it’s time to kick back with the Chilcano, a zesty, refreshing mix of pisco, ginger, and lime. Joining us for today's episode is DC-based Glendon Hartley, a bartender and proprietor of Service Bar, Causa, and Amazonia. Listen on (or read below) to learn Glendon's Chilcano recipe — and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe!
Glendon Hartley's Chilcano Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces soda water
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce ginger simple syrup
- 1 ounce Torontel pisco
- ½ ounce Italia pisco
- Garnish: citrus tuile, lime wedge, or lime peel
Directions
1. Over a large spear of ice in a chilled highball glass, first add soda water.
2. Add the remaining ingredients.
3. Garnish with a citrus tuile, lime wedge, or lime peel.
