Photograph: Clayton Hauck
Photograph: Clayton Hauck

The 9 best pisco sours in Chicago

These Chicago pisco sours top our list, with a traditional yellowish hue or a froth of egg white on top

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The South American brandy has made its way onto cocktail lists for those who love a balanced cocktail with a citrus kick tempered with an egg white. Chicago serves up some of the best pisco sours at craft beer spots, places with great patios and the best cocktail bars in the city.

RECOMMENDED: Our guide to cocktails in Chicago

  • Cocktail bars
  • Streeterville
  • price 3 of 4
This twist on a classic has the qualities of an original pisco sour—but better. The Tommy Gun comes in a wine glass and is made with Kappa Chilean Pisco with pineapple, lime, garam masala and aromatic bitters. It's bright and refreshing, with hints of the Indian spices shining through. $13. —Elizabeth Atkinson
  • Cocktail bars
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4
The Steakhouse Sour at the Broken Shaker is definitely the oddball on the list. Made with a bordelaise sauce reduction, this savory sour is full-bodied. Is that a hint of jerky we smell? Yes, the stenciling on the top is made with beef-infused Angostura bitters. $13. —EA
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  • Breweries
  • Lincoln Square
  • price 2 of 4
Formerly known as the Moroccan Sour, this sour adds a bit of spice with a ras el hanout–infused Kappa pisco—an Indian spice with cardamom and cinnamon tastes—giving it a kick of Indian flavoring enhanced by a spicy chile de arbol. $10. —EA
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  • Lounges
  • Logan Square
  • price 2 of 4

You can’t go wrong with the cocktail list at Scofflaw, and this twist on a pisco sour is simply delightful. The pink-hued Highwind comes served in a coupe, with Chilean Pisco, creme de violette, aperol and lemon. Sip and savor—it feels like springtime. $9. —Laura Rote

  • Cocktail bars
  • Wicker Park
  • price 3 of 4
With a pretty Angostura bitters embellishment on top, the 41 Jane Does wins for loveliest presentation. Both pear liqueur and apple brandy make up the spine of the cocktail, giving it a crisp fruity taste that's perfectly easy to drink. Props to this one, the extra cocktail comes in a small carafe when you're ready to top it off. $12. —EA
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  • Cocktail bars
  • Sheffield & DePaul
  • price 2 of 4
The only classic on our list made just like the recipe comes from the Barrelhouse Flat, which boasts an extensive list of classic cocktails. A sure bet here is the pisco sour, made with Taberno La Botija pisco and garnished with a line of Angostura bitters. It's bright and citrusy mellowed with egg white—a delicious pisco sour. $13. —EA
  • American
  • River West/West Town
  • price 2 of 4
This pretty pisco sour, served in a big cup with a silver rim, tastes like it's loaded with graham crackers, thanks to gingerbread rooibos tea–infused Kappa pisco. It's topped with a bit of cinnamon and filled with Bacardi 8 Rum, BroVo's Lucky Falernum and soda. $12.—EA
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  • Cocktail bars
  • Logan Square
  • price 1 of 4
The Casual Magic at Analogue takes the original pisco sour and switches it up just a tad, adding strawberry cardamom syrup to turn the drink to a nice orange color. It's available on the brunch cocktail menu, and it's a great accompaniment to those beignets. $10. —EA

How to make a pisco sour

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