Typical Drinks of Peru:
Discover Our Top 10

Traditional Peruvian Drinks

Dive into the intoxicating world of Peruvian drinks, where every sip tells a story. From the Andean peaks to the Pacific shores, discover 10 beverages that embody the soul of a country where liquid becomes culture.

Heritage of the Incas, colonial fusion or modern creation - these elixirs reflect Peruvian diversity. Whether it's Pisco (the only spirit in the world protected by 4 countries), Chicha Morada (sacred drink of emperors) or the exotic juices of the Amazon, prepare your taste buds for a sensory journey.

🍹 Particularities

A unique balance between sweetness and acidity, with star ingredients: purple corn, Amazonian fruits, pisco (grape brandy) and Andean herbs.

⚠️ Did You Know?

Peruvian beer, although imported by Germans in the 19th century, has become a national symbol with brands like Cusqueña and Pilsen Callao.

Gourmet Exploration The 10 Must-Try Drinks

🌿 Selection

1. Pisco Sour

🍸 Cocktail

Iconic drink made with pisco (grape brandy), lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white, and Angostura. Served chilled with a few drops of Angostura at the end.

📍
Origin: Pacific coast
National since 1920
💵
Price: 25-50 soles
(6-12€) in bars
🕒
Time: Aperitif
Never for breakfast
⚗️
Alcohol: ~30°
Non-alcoholic versions

2. Chicha Morada

🟣 Tradition

Ancient drink made with purple corn, fruits, and spices. Sweet and refreshing, often served with apple pieces and a cinnamon stick.

🏛️
History: Inca era
Prepared for nobles
💰
Price: 5-15 soles
(1-4€) very affordable
🌡️
Temperature: Chilled
Keeps for 3 days

3. Inca Kola

🥤 Iconic

National soda with a fruity (bubblegum) flavor and bright yellow color. Nicknamed "liquid gold," it often accompanies Creole dishes.

🛒
Availability: Everywhere
More popular than Coca-Cola
💲
Price: 3-8 soles
(0.75-2€) per bottle
🍽️
Pairing: Lomo Saltado
Perfect match

4. Chicha de Jora

🌾 Ancient

Fermented drink made from sprouted corn, slightly alcoholic (2-3°). Earthy flavor, often cloudy with characteristic foam.

Fermentation: 5-7 days
In clay jars
🗺️
Region: Andes
Especially in Cusco
🎉
Occasion: Local festivals
Sharing ritual

5. Emoliente

🌿 Medicinal

Hot herbal infusion (flax, nettles, boldo), often sweetened with honey. Consumed in the morning for its digestive benefits.

🕰️
Time: Morning
Especially in winter
💊
Benefits: Digestion
Anti-inflammatory
🚶
Where: Street vendors
Served in recycled glasses

6. Canelazo

🔥 Comfort

Hot drink made with cinnamon, sugarcane juice, and aguardiente (firewater). Perfect for cold nights at high altitudes, with a characteristic spicy touch.

🏔️
Place: Andean regions
Especially in Arequipa
🌡️
Temperature: 60-70°C
Served piping hot
📅
Season: May to September
Dry and cold season

7. Maracuyá Sour

🍹 Fruity

Tropical variation of the Pisco Sour with passion fruit juice. The acidity of the maracuyá perfectly balances the sugar and alcohol.

🍋
Flavor: Sweet-tart
Garnish: Fruit pulp
💃
Occasion: Night parties
Festive cocktail
⚗️
Alcohol: ~20°
Less strong than Pisco Sour

8. Peruvian Sangria

🍷 Fusion

Local version of sangria with pisco instead of brandy, Peruvian red wine, and tropical fruits (pineapple, mango). Refreshing and slightly sparkling.

🕰️
Time: Lunches
Served in pitchers
🍇
Base: Tacama Wine
Local grape variety
🧊
Preparation: 2h in the fridge
To infuse the fruits

9. Refresco de Tuna

🌵 Refreshing

Bright purple prickly pear juice, diluted with water and sweetened. Subtle taste between pear and melon, served very cold with ice cubes.

🗺️
Origin: Desert coast
Oases of Ica
💲
Price: 5-10 soles
(1.5-3€) roadside
🔄
Variant: With lime
For extra freshness

10. Mate de Coca

⛰️ Altitude

Traditional infusion of legal coca leaves. Herbaceous taste similar to green tea, consumed to prevent altitude sickness.

🏔️
Use: >2500m altitude
Andean hotels and lodges
⚖️
Legality: Allowed
Untransformed leaves
💡
Effect: Mild stimulant
Against fatigue
Article written by Pérou Découverte
Gift Ideas to Bring Back from Peru

Looking for the perfect souvenirs to bring back from your trip to Peru? Our complete guide offers a selection of the best typical gifts, from local crafts to culinary specialties.

We've also thought about travelers who want to thank their host families or make children they met during their stay happy, with ideas suited to every situation.

Discover our authentic and responsible gift suggestions

See all our gift ideas →

Bonus: Other Lesser-Known Drinks

🌿 Traditions

11. Masato

🌿 Amazon

Traditional Amazonian drink made from fermented cassava. Prepared by chewing and then spitting out the cassava to initiate fermentation, giving a slightly tangy and alcoholic taste (~2-3°).

🗺️
Region: Amazon
Especially Loreto
🕰️
Fermentation: 3-5 days
In earthen jars
🎉
Use: Ceremonies
Community sharing

12. Siete Raíces

💪 Energizing

Medicinal infusion combining 7 Andean roots (maca, valerian, chicory...). Earthy and woody taste, reputed to revitalize the body and improve blood circulation.

⚕️
Benefits: Anti-fatigue
Shamanic tradition
🏔️
Origin: High Andes
Traditional medicine
🕒
Consumption: Morning
Stimulating effect

13. Cocona

🍈 Exotic fruit

Tangy juice from the cocona fruit (Solanum sessiliflorum), rich in vitamin C. Flavor between tomato and lemon, often mixed with sugar or honey to sweeten.

🌴
Area: Amazon rainforest
Particularly in Tarapoto
🧊
Serving: Very cold
With ice cubes
🍹
Mixology: Cocktails
Base for Pisco Sour

14. Aguajina

🍹 Creamy

Creamy drink made from aguaje (fruit of the Mauritania flexuosa palm), with a taste similar to mango and carrot. Rich in vitamin A, often blended with condensed milk.

🌳
Production: Iquitos
Local "natural Viagra"
👩‍🍳
Preparation: Blended
With frozen pulp
💲
Price: 8-15 soles
(2-4€) in juice bars

15. Uvachado

🍇 Homemade

Artisanal non-fermented black grape juice, slightly crushed with the skin for a purple color. Often prepared during harvest (March-April) in wine regions.

🍷
Varieties: Quebranta
Pisco grapes
🏡
Typical: Family
Handed-down recipes
🔄
Variant: With cinnamon
Hot winter version

Culinary Journey Conclusion: Our Flavor Odyssey

🍹 ¡Salud!

Here we are at the end of our exploration of Peruvian drinks, a journey that has taken us from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, via the lively streets of Lima.

Each drink tells a story, a tradition, and carries within it the unique flavors of Peru. Whether you choose a pisco sour in a trendy bar, a chicha de jora in the Amazon or an Inca Kola with friends, these beverages immerse you in Peruvian culture.

And let's not forget beer, which has become essential in local social occasions.

We hope this article makes you want to discover these flavors, whether during your trip to Peru or from home.

To continue the adventure, also explore the 10 typical dishes of Peru!

¡Salud! • Cheers • To your health!

Peru Travel Guide 2025 - Tips by Peru Discovery