This week we head down to South America to feature The 1684, a cocktail that showcases pisco, a funky white spirit made from distilled grapes in Peru and Chile. (And they are engaged in a fierce rivalry as to who invented it first.)

At first taste, pisco has a tequila vibe, but it’s definitely more floral and grassy in flavor, with a bit of spice and pepper in the background. Though it’s been around since the 1600’s, you might not have heard of pisco, but in the past five years, over a dozen new brands have emerged here in the States alone. Sales continue to climb, making pisco a bonafide trend worth checking out.

The 1684 was created by the master distiller of Peru’s Pisco Portón, Johnny Schuler. Aside from making alcohol, Johnny is a spirits author and local Peruvian celebrity and hosts a TV show called Por Las Rutas Del Pisco (Translation: “Down the Road of Pisco”). The cocktail he developed below is named after the founding year of the town, Hacienda La Caravedo, in which Pisco Portón is distilled. But we chose this cocktail primarily because the fresh grape juice and contrasting elderflower liqueur beautifully complement the spirit. Plus, its refreshing ingredients are easy to find and it’s a lot more interesting than your typical vodka tonic. ¡Salud!

The 1684

What you’ll need:
6 seedless red grapes
3/4 oz. simple syrup or agave syrup
1 1/2 oz Pisco Portón (or any good-quality pisco)
1/2 oz. St. Germain  (or any elderflower liqueur)
1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

How to make it:
In a shaker, muddle the grapes with simple syrup or agave. Add the rest of the ingredients and top off with ice. Shake well and pour into a rocks glass. 

Via: Happy Hour The 1684