Peru is famous around the world for its food, but its beverage culture deserves just as much attention. From colorful corn-based refreshments to cocktails made with pisco and fruits from the Amazon, drinks from Peru reflect the country’s incredible geographic and cultural diversity.
For travelers, trying local beverages can be an easy way to discover another side of Peru. Some are familiar, such as beer or fruit juice, while others are closely connected to Andean traditions, Amazonian ingredients or Lima’s food culture.
If you are planning a trip and wondering what to order at a restaurant, market, bar or local food tour, this ranking brings together 15 drinks from Peru worth trying. You will find alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, traditional beverages and modern cocktails, plus recommendations depending on the type of flavor or experience you are looking for.
Why are drinks from Peru so diverse?
The variety of drinks from Peru is closely related to the country’s geography. Peru has a Pacific coastline, the Andes and a vast Amazonian region, each with its own ingredients, traditions and culinary influences.
Corn is especially important. Different varieties of corn have been used in Peruvian food and beverages for centuries. Purple corn, for example, is the base of chicha morada, while fermented corn is used to prepare traditional chicha de jora.
The country’s fruit diversity also plays an important role. Passion fruit, lucuma, camu camu, aguaje and other fruits can be transformed into juices, smoothies and cocktails.
Then there is pisco, Peru’s famous grape distillate and a national flagship product. According to Peru’s official tourism authority, pisco is produced from eight varieties of designated pisco grapes and is made from fresh grape must without adding other ingredients to the distillate itself.
This combination of local ingredients, regional traditions and modern culinary creativity explains why drinks from Peru can be so different from one another.
10 most famous drinks from Peru
If this is your first time visiting the country, these are some of the drinks from Peru you are most likely to encounter.
1. Pisco Sour
The Pisco Sour is probably the first drink that comes to mind when discussing drinks from Peru.
It combines pisco with lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, ice and bitters. The result is a cocktail that balances citrusy acidity with sweetness and a characteristic frothy texture.
It is a particularly good choice if you want to experience one of Peru’s best-known cocktails.
The flavor can vary depending on the pisco and proportions used by the bartender, so trying it in different places can be part of the experience.
Peru’s official tourism information identifies pisco as a national flagship product and highlights its long history and connection to the country’s wine-growing regions.
You might be interested in: 12 Peru traditional desserts you should try in Peru
2. Chicha morada
Chicha morada is one of the best-known non-alcoholic drinks from Peru.
Its intense purple color comes from purple corn, which is traditionally cooked with ingredients such as pineapple, cinnamon and cloves. It is generally served cold and can be sweetened according to preference.
The flavor is fruity, sweet and lightly spiced.
For travelers who do not drink alcohol, this is one of the easiest recommendations because it is commonly available alongside Peruvian meals.
It is particularly good with dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado and other traditional foods.
3. Chilcano
The Chilcano is another classic pisco-based cocktail.
Compared with the Pisco Sour, it is usually lighter and more refreshing. Pisco is combined with ginger ale, lime and ice, creating a drink that is especially appealing if you prefer long, sparkling cocktails.
The contrast between the grape-based spirit, citrus and carbonation makes it an easy introduction to pisco for travelers who find stronger cocktails too intense.
If the Pisco Sour feels too rich or acidic for your taste, the Chilcano may be the better option.
4. Inca Kola
Inca Kola is one of the most recognizable drinks from Peru, even though it is technically a soft drink rather than a traditional preparation.
Its bright yellow color and distinctive sweet flavor make it difficult to compare with the most common international sodas.
It is deeply associated with Peruvian food culture and is particularly common in casual restaurants.
You will often see it served alongside dishes influenced by Peru’s Chinese-Peruvian culinary tradition, including chaufa and other popular restaurant meals.
For a foreign visitor, trying Inca Kola can be almost as much about the cultural experience as the flavor itself.
5. Emoliente
Emoliente offers a completely different experience.
Instead of being a cold restaurant drink, it is a warm beverage traditionally sold by street vendors in Peru.
Recipes vary, but emoliente is commonly prepared with barley and a mixture of herbs and other ingredients. It has a mild herbal character and is particularly popular during cooler weather.
If you want to discover everyday Peruvian culture rather than only restaurant specialties, looking for a local emoliente stand can be an interesting experience.
6. Mate de coca
Mate de coca is an infusion prepared with coca leaves and is particularly associated with the Andes.
Travelers visiting destinations such as Cusco and other high-altitude areas may encounter it in hotels, restaurants and local establishments.
Its flavor is mild and herbal.
It is important, however, not to treat mate de coca as a guaranteed medical treatment for altitude sickness. If you experience symptoms of altitude illness, appropriate medical advice is more important than relying on a beverage.
As one of the traditional drinks from Peru, its greatest value for travelers is also cultural: it introduces an ingredient with a long history in the Andean region.
7. Chicha de jora
Chicha de jora is one of the most culturally significant drinks from Peru.
Unlike chicha morada, which is non-alcoholic, chicha de jora is traditionally fermented.
It is made from corn and has been associated with Andean communities and ceremonies for centuries.
Its flavor is quite different from commercial alcoholic beverages. Depending on its preparation, it can have a fermented, earthy and slightly acidic profile.
This is a drink for travelers who want to move beyond the most tourist-friendly options and explore Peru’s traditional food heritage.
8. Algarrobina cocktail
The algarrobina cocktail is a sweeter option for visitors who enjoy creamy drinks.
It uses algarrobina syrup, a product derived from the carob-like algarrobo tree, together with pisco and other ingredients.
Its texture and sweetness make it very different from a Pisco Sour.
If you prefer dessert-style cocktails or flavors that are smooth rather than strongly acidic, this could be one of the drinks from Peru you enjoy most.
9. Maracuyá sour
Passion fruit, known as maracuyá in Peru, is widely used in juices and cocktails.
The maracuyá sour takes the familiar sour-style cocktail concept and gives it a tropical character.
Its acidity and aroma are particularly appealing if you enjoy fruit-based cocktails.
It is also a good alternative for someone who wants to try a pisco cocktail but does not want to start with the classic Pisco Sour.
10. Camu camu juice
Camu camu is an Amazonian fruit known for its intensely tart flavor.
It can be transformed into refreshing juices and other beverages, particularly in areas where Amazonian ingredients are more readily available.
Among drinks from Peru, camu camu juice is particularly interesting because it gives travelers an opportunity to experience a flavor associated with Peru’s Amazon rather than its coastal or Andean cuisines.
If you enjoy acidic and fruity flavors, it is worth looking for.
5 more drinks from Peru worth discovering
The most famous options are only part of the story. Some of the lesser-known drinks from Peru can be even more interesting if you want to explore regional flavors.
11. Lucuma smoothie
Lucuma is one of Peru’s best-known native fruits and has a naturally sweet, distinctive flavor.
It is frequently used in desserts, ice cream and smoothies.
A lucuma smoothie is a good option for travelers who prefer something creamy and sweet without alcohol.
Its flavor is difficult to compare directly with common fruits, which makes it a fun choice for anyone interested in trying ingredients they may not find easily at home.
12. Aguajina
Aguajina is a beverage made using aguaje, an Amazonian fruit.
It has a fruity character and is particularly associated with the Peruvian Amazon.
Because aguaje is less familiar internationally than ingredients such as passion fruit or pineapple, trying an aguajina can provide a more distinctive culinary experience.
If your itinerary includes destinations in the Amazon, keep an eye out for local preparations.
13. Fresh passion fruit juice
Fresh maracuyá juice may sound simple, but it is one of the easiest ways to appreciate Peru’s fruit culture.
It can be served in restaurants, markets and homes, and its naturally tart flavor is often balanced with water and sugar.
Among the drinks from Peru, this is one of the most accessible choices for travelers who want something refreshing without alcohol.
14. Peruvian beer
Beer is not necessarily a uniquely Peruvian beverage, but it is an important part of the country’s contemporary drinking culture.
You will find well-known commercial brands throughout the country, alongside an expanding craft beer scene.
Beer can also be a practical pairing with Peruvian dishes, especially grilled foods, fried seafood and casual street food.
For travelers interested in modern Peruvian gastronomy, trying a local craft beer can be another way to explore the country’s changing culinary scene.
15. Peruvian wine
Wine production has a long history in Peru, particularly in coastal regions such as Ica.
The relationship between grapes and Peru is especially relevant because the country’s pisco tradition developed from the cultivation and processing of grapes.
If your itinerary includes Ica, combining a visit to a vineyard or pisco-producing area with a tasting experience can give you additional context about Peru’s beverage culture.
Drinks from Peru by type: which one should you try?
Choosing between so many options can be difficult, especially if you have limited time.
This quick comparison can help:
| Drink | Alcohol | Flavor | Best for |
| Pisco Sour | Yes | Citrus, sweet and sour | First-time visitors |
| Chicha morada | No | Sweet, fruity and spiced | Anyone |
| Chilcano | Yes | Light, citrusy and sparkling | Refreshing cocktails |
| Inca Kola | No | Sweet and distinctive | Curious travelers |
| Emoliente | No | Herbal and warm | Local experiences |
| Mate de coca | No | Mild and herbal | Andean experiences |
| Chicha de jora | Yes | Fermented and earthy | Cultural exploration |
| Algarrobina | Yes | Sweet and creamy | Dessert cocktail lovers |
| Maracuyá sour | Yes | Tropical and acidic | Fruit lovers |
| Camu camu juice | No | Tart and fruity | Amazonian flavors |
This is why there is no single “best” option among drinks from Peru. The right choice depends on what you enjoy and what kind of experience you want.
Which drinks from Peru should you try first?
If you have only a few days in the country, I would prioritize five.
Best overall: Pisco Sour
It is the obvious introduction to pisco and one of the country’s most internationally recognized cocktails.
Best non-alcoholic option: Chicha morada
It is easy to find, refreshing and strongly connected to Peruvian food culture.
Best light cocktail: Chilcano
Choose it if you prefer something sparkling and less creamy.
Best traditional experience: Chicha de jora
This is the option to consider when your priority is discovering an older Andean beverage tradition.
Best Amazonian experience: Camu camu juice
If you are traveling through the Amazon, look for beverages made with local fruits.
Where can you try drinks from Peru?
You do not necessarily need to visit an expensive cocktail bar to discover drinks from Peru.
Restaurants are the easiest starting point. Chicha morada, Inca Kola and fruit juices are commonly found alongside meals.
Markets can offer a more informal experience, especially for fresh juices and regional preparations.
Street vendors are particularly relevant if you want to try emoliente and experience a part of everyday Peruvian food culture.
In Lima, official tourism experiences currently combine Peruvian food with beverages such as pisco sour, chilcano and chicha morada. Some gastronomic experiences also include tastings of fruits, street food and traditional beverages, giving visitors an opportunity to explore several flavors in one outing.
If you travel to Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you may encounter mate de coca and traditional Andean beverages.
Meanwhile, destinations in Ica are particularly interesting if you want to learn more about pisco and the grape-growing traditions behind it.
The best approach is not to search for only one famous drink. Instead, try to match the beverage to the region you are visiting.
How to choose drinks from Peru based on your taste?
Not everyone enjoys the same flavors, so here is a simple way to decide.
If you prefer sweet drinks: try Inca Kola, chicha morada or an algarrobina cocktail.
If you like citrus: choose a Pisco Sour, Chilcano or maracuyá sour.
If you do not drink alcohol: chicha morada, fresh juices, emoliente, mate de coca and lucuma smoothies are good places to start.
If you enjoy unusual ingredients: look for camu camu, aguaje or traditional chicha.
If you want a cultural experience: try chicha de jora or visit an emoliente stand.
If you love cocktails: start with pisco-based drinks and then explore variations using local fruits.
This makes exploring drinks from Peru much more enjoyable because you are not simply checking items off a list. You are choosing drinks that match your own preferences.
A final ranking of drinks from Peru
If we had to create a short list for a first visit, this would be our ranking:
- Pisco Sour — the essential cocktail experience.
- Chicha morada — the best introduction to a classic non-alcoholic beverage.
- Chilcano — refreshing and easy to enjoy.
- Chicha de jora — ideal for travelers interested in Andean traditions.
- Camu camu juice — a great choice for discovering Amazonian flavors.
- Emoliente — an everyday experience beyond restaurants.
- Maracuyá sour — excellent for tropical fruit lovers.
- Inca Kola — a fun part of contemporary Peruvian food culture.
- Algarrobina cocktail — perfect for sweeter palates.
- Lucuma smoothie — a simple way to try a distinctive Peruvian fruit.
The ranking is subjective, of course. The best drinks from Peru for you will depend on your preferences, your itinerary and the regions you visit.
Final thoughts of drinks from Peru
Exploring drinks from Peru is another way to understand the country’s food culture.
A Pisco Sour introduces you to Peru’s famous grape distillate. Chicha morada connects a simple refreshing drink with purple corn and Peruvian culinary traditions. Mate de coca offers a glimpse into Andean beverage culture, while camu camu and aguaje introduce flavors from the Amazon.
And that is what makes the experience interesting: there is no single definition of a Peruvian drink.
Some are served in elegant cocktail bars. Others come from market stalls or street carts. Some have centuries of cultural history, while others represent the evolution of modern Peruvian gastronomy.
So, when you visit Peru, do not limit your culinary adventure to what is on your plate.
Look at what is in the glass, too.
You may discover that one of your favorite memories from the country begins with something as simple as ordering a local drink and asking, “What is this made of?”
