Tonight represents the beginning of this year’s Smoove D Search for the Official Cocktail of the Summer. In order to assist in the search for the cocktail, an ordinal rating system will be developed and an evaluation matrix generated. However, since I am lazy all this will take place at some indeterminate time in the future. Possibly even before the Smoove D Official Cocktail of Summer is chosen.

The first entry in the contest is the Pisco Sour. This is an excellent drink with a long and distinguished history that provides cocktail aficionados with plenty to argue about. Specifically, the country where pisco was invented is a matter of dispute, with both Peru and Chile claiming the innovation.

The main spirit in the Pisco Sour is, surprisingly, pisco, which is a joie de vivre similar to grappa. Taken by itself, pisco is a harsh and fiery liquor. However, mixing it with lemon juice, sugar, and bitters results in a tart libation reminiscent of a good gin cocktail. The savoryness of this cocktail makes it an ideal summer drink.

In the United States, pisco is almost never stocked in bars (an exception would be Pura Vida in Atlanta, however the ineptness of the bar staff at this establishment completely negates any reason for a visit). It is also especially difficult to find in liquor stores, which makes the Pisco Sour a fairly rare concoction.