Peruvian Chicha Morada is a beverage originated in the Andean regions of Peru that's made from dried purple corn, along with fruit and spices. Served over ice, this delicious drink is very popular throughout Peru.
It has been so hot in Los Angeles. This unattractive heatwave inspired me to make my favorite cooling-off-drink of my childhood: Peruvian Chicha Morada. This is what my mama would make me when I was little.
What is Chicha Morada?
Let's talk about Chicha Morada. This is a drink from Peru. This drink is made from corn. Yes! Corn! Beautiful Peruvian dried purple corn. You can find it at most Latin supermarkets and online here.
Note: It should run you about $4 at a latin market, so amazon is a little bit more expensive. If you've watched a food tv show about Peru, you'll most likely be familiar with chicha as a drink that people make in Cusco, Peru. But it's actually made all over Peru in varying ways. In Lima, it's made from boiling dried purple corn.
How to Make Chicha Morada
- Look how pretty the purple corn is! To a large pot, you add the water, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and the peel from a pineapple (waste nothing! and plus it gives it a hint of pineapple flavor).
- Simmer for 45 minutes, until it smells fragrant and all of the flavors have married together.
- Next, it's time to add the fresh lime juice and sugar. Below it says 1 cup of sugar. This wasn't super sweet, so feel free to taste it after the 1 cup of sugar and add more if you like!
- Transfer to the fridge to chill for about 3 hours.
- Dice up the apple and add a handful of diced apple and ice to each glass. And then, pour in the chicha morada.
There are different types of Chicha!
Chicha usually comes in two forms: fermented and non-fermented.
That's not what we're making today! But if you decided to add a splash of rum or pisco to this, I wouldn't be angry with you.
Top each drink of Peruvian Chicha Morada with a small handful of diced pineapple and apple. Screams summer time.
If you make Peruvian Chicha Morada, let me know on Instagram!
Peruvian Chicha Morada
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) bag of dried purple corn
- 16 cups water
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 whole pineapple, diced (peel reserved)
- 1 ½ cup white granulated sugar
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 green apple diced, for serving (peel reserved)
Instructions
- To a large pot, add the dried purple corn, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, the pineapple peels, sugar and apple peel. Heat over high heat and once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Remove the chicha from the heat. Place a strainer atop a large bowl and pour mixture through it, catching the large corn ears, pulp and pineapple. Transfer to a pitcher and allow to come to room temperature before refrigerating until cold. When the chicha has gotten cold, stir in the lime juice, diced pineapple and diced green apple. Divide amongst glasses and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for more Latin-inspired recipes? Here are a few recipes:
Robert Taylor says
I recently went to a Peruvian restaurant and upon paying for my order, I noticed one of those drink beverage machines where the product is circulated throughout the clear tank via a pump. The purple liquid looked so good. I made an inquiry on what type of drink that was and the young lady told me and then proceeded to tell me what was in it.
Before I even left the parking lot I had already finished mine. I went back in to get several more to take home and it had already sold out.
That's when I found this recipe here. This was 2 months ago and I have made about eight batches and shared them. No more of the store juices for me. Thanks for the great recipe! I have now turned an additional 12 people on to it.
Jessica says
Hi Adrianna! I’m so glad my husband found your recipe online! He’s actually making some Chicha for me now! (Just in time for Saint Valentine’s Day) I just got a whiff of it & the smell took me back to when I was little & my Mama gave it to me, too! Hope you & your hubby have a sweetest St. Valentine’s Day! Viva Peru!
Adrianna Adarme says
hi!! amazing that's so cute. besos! xoxo
Elizabeth says
Thanks for the recipe! I had completely forgotten about this drink from when I visited Peru. My husband and I went to a local Peruvian restaurant in Chicago last weekend, and when I told the server I was pregnant, she recommended the chicha morada without hesitation. I've been struggling to find something to replace my red wine! Ordered purple corn as soon as we got home. Can' t wait to try my first batch! Also, excited to check out the rest of your site!