Unlike the Pisco Sour, which is claimed by both the Peruvians and the Chileans, I think it’s safe to say that the Algarrobina cocktail (made with the spirit Pisco) is uniquely Peruvian. When I was in Peru, it was offered to me as a pre-dinner drink, but I prefer to reserve this creamy and sweet, eggnog style cocktail for after dinner, as the mixture of algarrobina or carob syrup, condensed milk and egg yolk makes it a dessert in itself!
Algarrobina is a syrup produced from the pods of the Black Carob tree, a leguminous tree that grows in South America. The carob syrup that you can get in Europe is most likely to be from the Carob tree, which is native to the Mediterranean region, but is similar to the one used for Algarrobina. Carob syrup is often used to make an alternative for chocolate, as it contains neither caffeine nor an alkaloid that is found in chocolate and that can be toxic to some people and pets.
If you have a really sweet tooth, you could pair it with this basic sponge cake recipe. Eat them separately, or pour over the cocktail on the soft sponge for a moist treat.
Tags: carob syrup, cinnamon, cocktail, condensed milk, egg, Peruvian Algarrobina, Pisco
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You should publish some more cocktails with carob syrup. That way I can buy it and use it for more than just this drink!
I usually spike my eggnog with a bit of rum. But next Christmas I will try it with pisco sour instead!