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Pisco drinks that are not Pisco Sour

Arrive in Peru and chances are you’ll soon be sipping a Pisco Sour. The tangy yellow elixir is a mix of pisco, Peru’s national firewater, lime juice and simple syrup, all topped off with a silky froth of whipped egg whites and a few dashes of bitters. It’s darn good, and it’s likely to be the only pisco cocktail you’ve ever heard of — but it’s not the only way to savor pisco.

Bright and grassy pisco is made from distilling fermented grapes of a single varietal, and much like wine, Peruvian piscos vary depending on the grape. Aromatic piscos are made from grapes like albilia and muscat, while pisco puro, often made with the quebranta varietal, is the best way to enjoy the liquor’s earthy kick.

Locals know that there are plenty of drinks worth mixing pisco into besides Peru’s signature cocktail, from citrusy punches to rich and creamy dessert tipples. Here are some of the best ones you’ll find around the country:

1. Pisco Sour Maracuya

A post shared by Jorge Sará Borge (@borgeavenue) on Feb 28, 2015 at 12:48pm PST

Adding a tropical twist, this is a traditional Pisco Sour pepped up with the juice of maracuya, passion fruit. The maracuya gives it a touch of exotic sweetness and it’s still served with that luscious egg-white head.

2. El Capitán

A post shared by ASam (@arthesam) on Dec 10, 2017 at 5:17pm PST

They don’t call this cocktail The Captain for nothing. It’s a bracing mix of pisco, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters; essentially a pisco-based Manhattan. Not for the faint hearted.

3. Pisco Chilcano

A post shared by Kancha Pisco Bar – London (@kanchapiscobar) on Feb 24, 2018 at 10:05am PST

The Chilcano is not a particularly sexy quaff, seeing as it looks like a tumbler of 7Up – but it’s a lighter drink than the frothy Pisco Sour. A mix of pisco, lime, soda, and lots of ice, the Chilcano is a refreshing alternative on a hot evening, and washes down all that ceviche well. Seasoned bartenders will usually use ginger ale, but other colas will do. Just make sure they don’t mix it with Inka Cola — lest you want to turn your beverage, and possibly your pee, a radioactive shade of yellow.

4. Algarrobina

A post shared by La Casona de Pueblo Libre (@la_casona_de_pueblo_libre) on Apr 14, 2018 at 7:32pm PDT

Where Pisco Chilcano is light, the algarrobina is rich and satisfying. Peruvians like the libation so much they have a special day in March to celebrate it. The creamy confection is made with a syrup derived from the chocolatey fruit of the algarroba, or carob, tree, mixed with evaporated milk and egg yolks, and sprinkled with cinnamon. A more cloying version of the drink uses condensed milk.

5. Pisco Punch

A post shared by La Emolienteria (@laemolienteriabar) on May 18, 2018 at 12:48pm PDT

Best served by the pitcher and shared with friends outside, Pisco Punch dresses up the spirit in a sugary concoction of pineapple juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters. An even more authentic take nixes the pineapple juice and simple syrup in favor of a pineapple gomme syrup, made from enriching pineapple simple syrup with gum arabic for a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Best for big nights out… and big hangovers.

6. Pisco Crusta

A post shared by Miguel Briceño (@miguelbrice_c) on Jul 25, 2017 at 12:16pm PDT

Brandy Crustas (the original Sidecars) have been around for a couple of centuries, and Peruvians have their own version in the Pisco Crusta. This popular drink blends pisco, bitters, lemon juice, grenadine or simple syrup, and maraschino liqueur, and features the signature sugar rim, or “crust.”

7. Cocaine

A post shared by Charlotte Pembroke (@auntycharlotte) on May 23, 2018 at 1:41pm PDT

You don’t need booze to feel tipsy in Cusco, seeing as the city’s located more than 11,000 feet above sea level. Locals deal with the altitude by sipping coca leaf tea, but frankly the tea tastes like tree branches. Better to have it mixed into your cocktail – along with ginger, coconut cream and lime – and call it “Cocaine,” like they do at Cusco’s hopping bar Limbus.

8. Piscoffee

A post shared by Kym Good (@kymngood) on May 25, 2017 at 3:12pm PDT

Inspired by Irish whisky, Peruvians use the English “coffee” not “café” to name this morning brew. This union of coffee, whipped cream, and pisco is one helluva way to start the day. Buenos días!

9. Neat

A post shared by Caravedo Pisco (@caravedopisco) on Oct 10, 2017 at 1:14pm PDT

If you’ve never had pisco before, it’s important to try it in its unadulterated form: neat. The best way to sample it solo is to sip on a pisco puro, such as a quebranta-style one, in a bowl-shaped glass like a brandy snifter, so you can appreciate its fragrant funkiness…and then order just one more.

More like this: 15 Peruvian foods so delicious they’ll blow your mind

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The coolest camper van conversions to inspire you to hit the road

Don’t lie: you’ve spent time at work fantasizing about living your #vanlife dreams. If you’re like most of us, the biggest thing preventing you from hitting the road is likely the lack of a van itself. But if you have the motivation (and DIY skills) to turn a normal vehicle into a haven for everything from camping to cooking to remote work, you can be on the road in time for summer adventuring. These Instagram-famous eternal road trippers built their vision from the ground up; their epic camper van conversions are sure to get you pumped up for summer travels.

1. 40 Hours Of Freedom

Sara and Alex James, along with their two little Italian Greyhounds Bambi and Nugget, are professional #vanlifers, under the Instagram handle @40hoursoffreedom. They gave their van a laidback, communal vibe reminiscent of chilling on the back porch. They purchased a 2008 Dodge Sprinter with a high roof and wide wheelbase, that allowed them to have a convertible king size bed.

A post shared by 40 Hours Of Freedom (@40hoursoffreedom) on Mar 4, 2018 at 10:09am PST

They’ve made incredibly efficient use of the limited space. When it’s time to sleep, they pull their mattress over the seating area. They even have a shower. You can follow their step-by-step process for van converting on their website.

A post shared by 40 Hours Of Freedom (@40hoursoffreedom) on Jan 13, 2018 at 7:52am PST

2. Our home on wheels

Jace and Giddi, along with their daughter Juniper and dog Lotus, are the crew behind @ourhomeonwheels. The couple took a hip approach and tricked their van out with chic flare and a modern setup that looks like an apartment, complete with workspace and kitchen.

A post shared by Our Home On Wheels (@ourhomeonwheels) on May 9, 2018 at 12:10am PDT

Their van also serves as a crafts studio where they hand-make jewelry for sale via their business Carteo Handmade. Their van adventures are driven by a passion for the outdoors and a desire to be as close to it as possible. Their website is loaded with info on how they make it happen.

A post shared by Our Home On Wheels (@ourhomeonwheels) on Mar 20, 2018 at 10:23pm PDT

3. AdVANture lovers

Laura and Tom are a German couple traversing Europe as @Advanturelovers. They keep their converted Westfalia clean and presentable with a minimalist feel, spending most of their time exploring the great outdoors.

A post shared by Laura & Tom

Virgin Voyages changes cruise game

When it comes to shifting the perception of cruises away from chaotic, amusement park-like family vacations, into high-end luxury experiences for adults, is it any surprise that Richard Branson is leading the charge? The travel mogul’s new cruise line, Virgin Voyages, will offer passengers a sophisticated, stylish vacation experience — free of screaming children.

A post shared by Virgin Voyages (@virginvoyages) on May 23, 2018 at 3:03pm PDT

If you’re looking for water slides, climbing walls, or characters in costumes, this won’t be the cruise for you. Virgin Voyages will cater strictly to passengers 18 years or older, looking to “change the way this kind of vacation not only looks and feels, but most importantly, how it’s experienced.” The ship’s cosmopolitan interiors were designed by a creative collective group, which has also worked on trendy travel brands like Ace Hotels, the Standard, and the Mondrian.

Guests can expect a rooftop terrace, dual-level art deco nightclub, the largest daybed at sea, and an extensive workout space, as well as upscale restaurants, including the Test Kitchen — a “scientific dining experience” boasting test tubes, beakers, and volumetric flasks on the tables.

Virgin Voyages will initially launch with three ships in 2020, the first set to depart from Miami and sail around the Caribbean. Each ship will have a capacity of 2,700 passengers (or “Sailors”, as they call them), and production costs are estimated to be around $2 billion. There’s no word on pricing yet for a ticket aboard, but it’s safe to say this won’t be a budget holiday.

H/T: Travel + Leisure

7 actually cool cruises that are nothing like the ones your parents take

The post Richard Branson’s sleek, new adults-only cruise line is unlike any ship you’ve been on appeared first on Matador Network.

Iceland to serve as NASA's 'Mars'

Anyone who’s been to Iceland knows how easy it is to imagine you’re traversing the surface of another planet, but now the other-worldly land will actually be helping NASA prepare for its first manned mission to Mars.

NASA plans to send men to Mars in 2030, and they’re using Iceland’s unique landscape to make their preparations. Given the country’s unusual geographic characteristics, including canyons and terrain similar to those found on Mars, NASA believes Iceland is the perfect place to better understand what kinds of technology and capabilities might be needed to make a mission to Mars successful.

During a recent lecture at the University of Reykjavik, scientists Jennifer Heldmann and Darlene Lim explained their project in detail. “We’re in the beginning stages right now,” says Dr. Heldmann. “We’re collecting data, we have folks in the field taking samples, flying UAVs and taking pictures,” and the goal is to kick off more NASA exercises in Iceland as early as next year. These would consist of a series of simulations, where scientists would enact their journey to Mars, collecting data and samples, as well as protocols for communicating with Earth. Projects are already taking place around the capital of Reykjavik, but soon scientists will venture to more remote regions of the countryside.

“It’s really exciting,” says Dr. Lim, “because we can — before we go to places like Mars — practice doing that here on Earth.”

Ordinary travelers might not be able to get to Mars anytime soon, but luckily, cheap flights to Iceland can always be found.

H/T: The Reykjavik Grapevine

20+ of the most mindblowing places in Iceland

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New zero waste restaurant

Sustainability is on the forefront of the restaurant industry these days, but it’d be tough to find a more eco-conscious restaurant than this pop-up experience. The Zero Waste Bistro was conceived at WantedDesign Manhattan during NYCxDesign 2018, in a partnership between the Finnish Cultural Institute, Finnish Design Shop, and designer Linda Bergroth. This pop-up restaurant is true to its name. From the walls, to the table, to the Artek stools, everything is reusable or recyclable.

The speckled-blue walls are constructed from a material made from food container waste, and the long dining table is made from a polyester surface material combined with granulated post-industrial waste. The Zero Waste Bistro serves lunch and dinner using plates, cups, and utensils from Iittala. Should you see something you like inside the restaurant, and want to add it to your own dining room, you can purchase it from the Finnish Design Shop.

Chef Luka Balac says, “Our dishes at Zero Waste Bistro in New York will be comprised of local and organic ingredients as well as commonly overlooked byproducts of our food system.” He adds that their menu was designed with an aim to “produce something delicious and authentic out of local ingredients that are often ignored.” And of course, the restaurant will compost all its leftovers.

If you’ve ever been scolded for forgetting to recycle, a few trips to this restaurant should silence your detractors.

H/T: Curbed

More like this: You can feel good about staying in these beautiful zero-waste, eco-friendly hotels

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Germany to fine for skipping school

Everyone knows that flight prices skyrocket around popular vacation times, making it incredibly expensive to book a family vacation. One common way to get around these price-hikes is to get ahead of the vacation crowd by booking a day or two in advance. For travelers with children, this means taking them out of school early. While it might not seem like a huge deal — everyone slacks off before vacations anyway — in Germany, it could get you reported to the local authorities and earn you a huge fine of up to 1,000 euros.

Heinz-Peter Meidinger, head of a German teachers’ association told the New York Times, “Before the start and after the end of vacation, we see a big increase in children excused as being sick — in some cases, the rate can be double or triple the normal amount.” It’s no surprise, then, that before school ended on Friday for Bavaria’s two-week vacation, airport officers caught 21 families allowing their children to skip school without teacher authorization.

Since 1919, the German government has required school-age children to be in class during regular school hours. Illnesses or special occasions need to be excused with a doctor’s note, with approval from the school. Schools are fairly lenient when it comes to these extenuating circumstances, but they draw the line at playing hooky to save money on flights and hotels.

This policy has sparked heated debate among parents and school administrators. While parents question the productivity of the last few days of school before break, administrators disagree. And then there’s the added question: should local police be getting involved, or should disciplinary measures for be left to the school?

One thing’s for sure: the strict rule isn’t doing much to help Germany’s reputation as a no-nonsense destination.

H/T: The New York Times

9 tips for traveling with kids over the holidays

The post In Germany, skipping school to travel could get your family fined 1000 euros appeared first on Matador Network.

These freaky, 170-million-year-old giant salamanders are going extinct

Once a plentiful and thriving species in China’s freshwater rivers, it is now thought that there could only be a few giant salamanders left in the world. This is according to a massive wildlife survey conducted in China, as reported by the BBC. The animals, which have survived for over 170 million years without much change and are considered by many scientists to be a “living fossil,” are in rapid decline due to overconsumption as a food source; this ancient amphibian has actually become a delicacy in upscale Chinese restaurants in recent years.

The salamander has been all but eradicated from its natural environment, despite it being illegal to hunt and kill them in the wild. Giant salamanders are farmed throughout China and sold to restaurants.

“The overexploitation of these incredible animals for human consumption has had a catastrophic effect on their numbers in the wild over an amazingly short time-span,” researcher Dr Samuel Turvey, of the Institute of Zoology at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), told the BBC.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has listed the giant salamander as “Critically Endangered” and is encouraging action to step up the conservation efforts for the species.

H/T BBC

Five of Oregon’s most endangered species and how to help them thrive

The post These freaky, 170-million-year-old giant salamanders are going extinct appeared first on Matador Network.

Why visit ski towns in Spring

Every winter, people migrate to ski towns to play in the snow. Then, inevitably, April rolls around, and the weather starts to wane towards spring. So what happens when the ski season is over, but summer hasn’t yet begun?

When you ask most locals in a ski town what they plan to do during mud season, the common answer is “leave.” But there are benefits to visiting these small towns during the off-season. Not everyone’s a skier, and ski towns have evolved to accommodate both people who are active and enjoy a full day of skiing and those who would prefer just to relax and take in the view.

After ski season, you can still eat at great restaurants, shop at local boutiques (many of which will have major sales once the snow melts), and seek out fun nighttime activities. Take a look at these five ski towns that have more going for them than just snow days.

1. Explore offseason activities in Fernie, British Columbia

Photo: Fernie Lucky 7’s

While Warren Miller essentially put Fernie, British Columbia on the map as an extreme backcountry skiing destination, locals in the area have a secret. This is one of the top places to go mountain biking and hiking in British Columbia. It’s also a short three-hour drive from the airport at Whitefish, Montana, which is another excellent off-season mountain biking spot. Check out the site Fernie Lucky 7’s for more information on biking events.

Where to stay:

Photo: Island Lake Lodge Catskiing

Book at a room at the fantastic Island Lake Lodge. This spot caters mainly to cat skiers in the winter and offers discounted rates to summer travelers. Start your morning with a tranquil walk about the Island Lake and end your day in the private hot tub on your hotel room deck.

Where to eat and drink:

Photo: Himalayan Spice Bistro

Head out at night for a stroll down 2nd Ave and you’ll find everything from Himalayan food to pizza. Mornings are best when you start out with a bagel and latte from Big Bang Bagels. Get there early to avoid waiting in line.

2. Enjoy a luxury holiday in Vail, Colorado

Photo: Welcomia

Even with plenty of advanced planning and scouting for discounted tickets and cheap airfare, ski vacations are expensive. Once you factor in a lift ticket, hotel, ski rental, and three meals, the cost starts to add up. The average cost of spending just one-day skiing in Vail, Colorado is around $800 per person. Traveling to a ski town in the offseason is a different experience. Often you’ll find inexpensive last minute deals for flights and lodging. This allows you to stay in some of the luxury resorts at a fraction of the price. Sure, you’ll miss spending eight hours out in the snow, but the spa and the hot tub will still be there for you.

Where to stay:

Photo: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

Vail offers an endless number of luxury accommodations. Look for a room at The Sebastian or The Four Seasons to stay close to the mountain and Vail Village.

Where to eat and drink:

One of the benefits of spending time in Vail Village is that you can walk everywhere. For drinks before dinner, head over to Root and Flower for a glass of wine. Their menu includes over 50 different wines by the glass. Follow up with a casual dinner at Mountain Standard, where most of the food is prepared over an open fire.

3. Avoid the crowds in Tahoe, California

Photo: Topseller

Sometimes, during ski season in Tahoe, it can feel like you’re spending more time waiting in line than hitting the powder. Between sitting in ski traffic, waiting for your friends to get their gear together in the parking lot, and drifting through the lift line, the crowds often make the experience feel frustrating and overwhelming. Fast forward to May or June, and you rarely need to wait for a seat at your favorite restaurant, parking spaces are abundant, and the whole town seems to exhale and relax.

Where to stay:

Photo: Basecamp Tahoe South

Check out Basecamp Tahoe South on the California/Nevada state line, to experience the meaning of “adult summer camp.” You’ll be just a few blocks from the lake and, who knows, your camp crush might initiate some night swimming. If so, bring matching wetsuits; that water is chilly.

Where to eat and drink:

Photo: Basecamp Pizza

Of the same name and just down the street is Basecamp Pizza Company. They’re known as a relaxing hang out in Heavenly Village.

4. Experience that college town in summer vibe in Breckenridge, Colorado

Photo: Nicki Rose

Mud season in Breckenridge allows you to experience another side of the small town — people are relaxed, more friendly, and willing to spend time chatting with strangers. Ski season is the time when many of the local businesses and employees make the majority of their annual salary. So, although people in the service and retail industry will be polite, there is a rushed feeling of urgency during peak season. While people in such small towns are generally friendly year round, you’re more likely to have a relaxed, meaningful conversation when it’s less crowded. You might learn about a great happy hour special or a locals-only mountain biking trail that is dry and ready to ride even in mud season.

Where to stay:

Breckenridge is one of those ski towns that has a tightly knit, year-round community. For this reason, it’s fun to stay at an Airbnb in a neighborhood to tap into that local vibe. Stay at beautiful a condo within walking distance of downtown and the mountain for the same price as a hotel.

Where to eat and drink:

Photo: Modis Breckenridge

This is an eating and drinking town. For an upscale meal, make a reservation at Modis. If you’re more into relaxing with a decent margarita, stop by Rita’s on Thursday night to try your hand at trivia.

5. Celebrate “Beach Days” at Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Photo: Snowboard Colorado

Snowboard Colorado keep locals and visitors up to date regarding the final days of powder, but the A-Basin is a rare novelty of a resort that is actually able to stay open until early July due to its high elevation. Show up in your favorite costume and join the “beach parties” in the parking lot while watching those who are brave enough ski down the mountain in bikinis and other summer-inspired attire.

Where to stay:

Check out the Timbers and Lone Eagle condos for special seasonal rates.

Where to eat and drink:

Stop in at local favorite the Goat Soup & Whiskey Tavern for a hearty bowl of soup and a warm shot of whiskey. They also host live music several nights a week.

The post Why it’s still worth visiting a ski town during “mud season.” appeared first on Matador Network.

The scariest observation decks

Architects and tourism companies are getting creative in providing unique, and often stomach-turning, opportunities to really put yourself out there to get the best view of an attraction. They also seem to have adopted a fondness for heights. Whether it be a mountaintop, cruise ship, or the Grand Canyon, these insane glass-bottomed decks will leave you with some serious vertigo.

1. Grand Canyon Skywalk

Where: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Photo: Nootprapa

If you’ve ever wanted to dangle above the world’s most epic canyon and gaze down at the Colorado River 3,600 feet below, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is just the place. Owned by the Hualapai Indian Tribe, the Skywalk opened in 2007 in the Grand Canyon West area, about 120 miles from Las Vegas.

2. Le Pas dans Le Vide (Step into the Void)

Where: Chamonix, France

Photo: Tatiana Zinchenko

Because vacationing to Chamonix isn’t extreme enough, you can now step out into a 2.5-meter glass case off the top level of Aiguille du Midi, at 12,605 feet. You’ll not only enjoy a picture-perfect view of Mount Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, but you’ll have a free look at international boundaries, as the Alps of Italy and Switzerland are all within eyesight.

3. Glacier Skywalk

Where: Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Photo: Ambrose Fung

The Sunwapta Valley in Jasper National Park offers access to some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery. Prior to 2014, you’d have to hike a peak in order to take in the valley vistas all at once. The Glacier Skywalk has changed that. Now you can walk 100 feet out onto a glass-bottomed platform and gaze in awe across the valley — and down 900 feet if you can stomach it.

4. Glass Bridge

Where: Mount Langya, HeChina

A post shared by @nurbuyukkaraca on Nov 27, 2017 at 7:25am PST

Leave it to the Chinese to take glass-bottomed viewing to a whole new level. This attraction in Mount Langya will take you first across a glass bridge and finally to a circular platform that allows you to peer nearly 1,480 feet down to the gorge below. Getting there requires a three hour hike or a ride in a cable car.

5. Glass-bottom cruise ship deck

Where: Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas

Photo: Commons Wikimedia

Royal Caribbean gives you the chance to watch the ocean move underneath your feet on their ship, Harmony of the Seas. The see-through floor is located on the port bridge wing at the front of the ship. Because not all of the ship’s bridge wings have a glass bottom, this one is a bit of a hidden secret for those willing to put in the effort to find it. (You have a clear advantage now that we’ve told you where it is).

6. Glass-bottom swimming pool

Where: Market Square Tower, Houston, Texas

A post shared by Lisa Forbus (@blackforestmom67) on Apr 9, 2017 at 6:28am PDT

Because swimming without being completely terrified is so out of date, you can now gaze 500 feet down to a city street below you as you work on your front stroke. Houston’s Market Square Tower installed a glass-bottomed swimming pool on the building’s 40th floor. To step it up a notch, strap on a GoPro and dive in head first.

7. Glass-bottomed bathroom

Where: Guadalajara, Mexico

Photo: Hernandez Silva

Located on top of a fifteen-story elevator shaft, this bathroom might help loosen those tight bowels. Evidently, renowned Mexican architect Hernandez Silva thought the ambiance for a normally unexciting routine needed to be more invigorating.

More like this: These skyscrapers have glass-bottomed observation decks for stomach-dropping views

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LA is getting a pizza museum

If you’re not a museum person, that’s probably about to change. No longer will a museum visit require you to master the “stand, nod, and look pensive” stance, as you pretend to admire exhibits that are (let’s be honest) way over your head. Los Angeles’ newest “museum” is centered around a subject everyone is passionate about — pizza. Opening in Los Angeles this October, The Pizza Experience is an interactive pop-up designed to celebrate personal moments with pizza.

Robin Boytos, CEO and founder of The Pizza Experience, plans to feature 12 to 15 pizza-themed rooms. This includes rooms where visitors can roll around in pizza dough (a private, personal fantasy of mine), squeeze pizza dough, and dive into an oversized cheese cushion pool. A pizza nightclub and interactive pizza-themed fitness center are also rumored to be in the works. We’d like to see a room where connoisseurs can settle the age-old pineapple on pizza debate, but that may get too heated even for a pizza museum.

Much like pizza itself, the museum is designed as a truly multi-sensory experience. Boytos wants his pop-up to invoke a powerful sense of nostalgia. “It’s not just pizza,” he says, “it’s about those memories. People can expect to come to a playground for adults with selfie stations and cat walks.” Let’s face it, if you have a childhood memory that doesn’t involve pizza, is it really a memory worth keeping? Each visitor can also expect to receive a free slice of pizza upon exit, as well as other snacks within.

Tickets for the LA Pizza Experience are $30 and go on sale June 29 at 9 am. The pop-up is also slated to come to Chicago in early 2019.

H/T: Eater Los Angeles

More like this: This robot pizza truck can bake 120 pizzas while it’s driving

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