Mixologist Julie Reiner (of Flatiron Lounge in New York City) created this drink after returning home from a tour of Peruvian pisco distilleries. It’s a wonderful way to show off your favorite bottle of pisco, with a well-rounded flavor that even pisco neophytes can appreciate.
The original Cuzco recipe calls for Aperol, the sweetest of the Italian citrus aperitivo. We’d stick with that or another not-too-bitter brand; something like Campari would be too strong, and overpower the more delicate flavors of pisco and kirsch.
Reiner’s recipe calls for the kirsch to be used as a rinse – that is, swirled around the glass and then discarded. Since it’s such a small amount, you could substitute maraschino liqueur for the kirsch. Maraschino is a little funkier than kirsch, but it works well with the aromatics of the pisco and grapefruit.
