Peru is a country rich in gastronomy, known worldwide for its quality and diversity. Thanks to its products, it is possible to prepare unique and delicious dishes and beverages, which we will present below:
Within the wide variety of typical Peruvian beverages, there are those prepared without alcohol, suitable for consumption by both children and adults.
Chicha Morada is a beverage originating from the Andes. Its ingredients are purple corn, quince, pineapple peel, cinnamon, cloves, chopped fruit, and sugar to taste. This beverage is usually served cold.
Cremolada is a mix of crushed ice and natural fruit juices. This beverage is ideal for cooling down on hot days.
Infusions are beverages made with fruits or herbs. To prepare them, you boil water and add the herb or fruit of your choice, then let it steep. This includes tea and coffee.
The emollient is a very traditional beverage in Peru, dating back to the colonial era. Among its medicinal benefits are constipation prevention, cholesterol reduction, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. Its ingredients include horsetail (plant), barley, pineapple, flaxseed, lemon, and water. All are boiled, and this beverage can be consumed either hot or cold.
Thanks to Peru's diversity, it's possible to enjoy beverages made from natural and delicious ingredients.
There is a wide variety of fruits that can be used to make juices and natural refreshments, for example:
Within the wide variety of beverages, there are those with alcohol in their preparation. They are often recommended for medicinal purposes and generally accompany traditional dishes.
Pisco Sour is a beverage that contains alcohol. It is made with gomme syrup, lemon, egg whites, ice, and pisco, a grape distillate stored in ceramic vessels called Pisko. It usually accompanies traditional dishes.
Chilcano is a beverage made with pisco, lemon, ginger ale, and ice. You can add gomme syrup to increase its sweetness. It has a simple preparation.
Chicha de Jora is a beverage made with jora corn. Its preparation consists of boiling the corn, placing it in clay vessels, and letting it sit for several days. It has an alcohol content, but it depends on the days of fermentation.
Masato is a beverage typical of the jungle. It is made from fermented yucca, which is boiled. In some communities, it is chewed to help with fermentation. Its origin dates back to ancient times, when the beverage was used as an offering.
In the Peruvian Amazon, there are many exotic and aphrodisiac beverages to try, some with evident medicinal properties, while others are based on local beliefs.
Rompe Calzón is an aphrodisiac beverage made from barks and plants like cat's claw, cumaceba, fierro caspi, chuchuhuasi, clavo huasca, sanango, abuta, and others, combined with aguardiente. This mixture is left for a week to be ready for consumption. Many people drink this beverage to increase libido and enhance sexual performance, hence its curious name.
Levántate Lázaro is a beverage famous for its biblical name. Its ingredients include chuchuhuasi bark, sanango, chicosa, fierro caspi, and the reproductive organ bone of the achuni (Amazonian animal), accompanied by aguardiente and honey. It is known to increase male libido, with some saying that just a few sips are enough.
Chuchuhuasi is a beverage made from the bark of the Chuchuhuasi tree. This beverage contains a high alcohol content and is said to stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle pain, stomach aches, bronchitis, and fever.
7 Raíces is a highly sought-after beverage. It is made using seven different barks and roots: Chuchuhuasi, cat's claw, murare, icoja, fierro caspi, cumaceba, and sangre de grado.
All the ingredients are macerated with aguardiente and honey. It is known for its medicinal properties against colds.
This beverage originates from the regions of Tarapoto and San Martín. It is made with Burgundy grapes from the Amazon. Its preparation consists of macerating for months with aguardiente and adding honey for sweetness.
Coca Mate is an infusion made from coca leaves. Coca is a plant of Andean origin that grows at medium altitudes. It has benefits for combating altitude sickness, and its nutritional values vary depending on the type of coca leaf consumed. It has analgesic, antioxidant, and digestive properties, among others.
