Pisco Sours: A Word of Caution
Apr 9, 2018, 4:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
Pisco Sours: A Word of Caution
I've been to Peru several times and have never had any issues with getting sick, but my latest trip down with a group of 13 people for two weeks proved different. Almost 90% of the group got hit at least once through the two week trip with a food related illness. Most of the group had been very careful to avoid tap water and also careful about what types of food they ate. One thing that was common among everyone in the group is that they had been drinking Pisco Sours (made with raw egg whites) on and off during the whole trip.
I've read more recently that due to the high protein of the egg, the Pisco's alcohol content does not do much protecting against salmonella. I've also read that even if the alcohol content of the drink was high enough, it would need a decent amount of time to "rest" after the drink has been made in order to kill it off. There is also the potential that the water used to make the drink or the water used to make the ice in the drink could cause issues.
Even if you remove the risk of salmonella, the large amount of sugar in the drink could upset some stomachs after just a few. I'll probably stick with Cusqueñas on my next visit.
Just a word of caution. It is a very tasty drink otherwise!
I've read more recently that due to the high protein of the egg, the Pisco's alcohol content does not do much protecting against salmonella. I've also read that even if the alcohol content of the drink was high enough, it would need a decent amount of time to "rest" after the drink has been made in order to kill it off. There is also the potential that the water used to make the drink or the water used to make the ice in the drink could cause issues.
Even if you remove the risk of salmonella, the large amount of sugar in the drink could upset some stomachs after just a few. I'll probably stick with Cusqueñas on my next visit.
Just a word of caution. It is a very tasty drink otherwise!
Apr 9, 2018, 8:08 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: TPA
Programs: British, United,SW, Delta,Iberia,KLM, Qatar, IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Radisson, Wyndham,
Posts: 255
I've been to Peru several times and have never had any issues with getting sick, but my latest trip down with a group of 13 people for two weeks proved different. Almost 90% of the group got hit at least once through the two week trip with a food related illness. Most of the group had been very careful to avoid tap water and also careful about what types of food they ate. One thing that was common among everyone in the group is that they had been drinking Pisco Sours (made with raw egg whites) on and off during the whole trip.
I've read more recently that due to the high protein of the egg, the Pisco's alcohol content does not do much protecting against salmonella. I've also read that even if the alcohol content of the drink was high enough, it would need a decent amount of time to "rest" after the drink has been made in order to kill it off. There is also the potential that the water used to make the drink or the water used to make the ice in the drink could cause issues.
Even if you remove the risk of salmonella, the large amount of sugar in the drink could upset some stomachs after just a few. I'll probably stick with Cusqueñas on my next visit.
Just a word of caution. It is a very tasty drink otherwise!
I've read more recently that due to the high protein of the egg, the Pisco's alcohol content does not do much protecting against salmonella. I've also read that even if the alcohol content of the drink was high enough, it would need a decent amount of time to "rest" after the drink has been made in order to kill it off. There is also the potential that the water used to make the drink or the water used to make the ice in the drink could cause issues.
Even if you remove the risk of salmonella, the large amount of sugar in the drink could upset some stomachs after just a few. I'll probably stick with Cusqueñas on my next visit.
Just a word of caution. It is a very tasty drink otherwise!
Apr 18, 2018, 11:04 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
This isn't correct. A Chilcano is made of ginger ale, lime, and Pisco. A Pisco Sour has a lot of added sugar as well.
Apr 25, 2018, 4:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
My wife and I spent 4/7-4/14/2018 at a beautiful Hotel on the beach 70 miles South of Lima. We made the mistake of both having salads on the 11th. I had the Inca's revenge the next day and my wife had it 4 days later and a lot worse. 2 hospital visits after our return the results were positive for e coli. We've been to many Countries in Asia, Central and S America but this was our first.
