Ellen was the kind of woman always on an adventure. She didn’t have a preference for the type. Whatever she dreamt up she’d make her best pitch to someone and if they didn’t say yes right away, she’d keep at it until they relented. It was always something with an edge; from paragliding over the beaches of Lima to riding an alpine roller coaster through the Swiss Alps to running a race in a vineyard. After each successful feat, she’d pair the end of an adventure with either a glass of wine, tequila, or a Pisco Sour. The Pisco Sours came later in life after a trip she made to Peru to attend her best friend’s wedding. Ever after, it was Pisco Sour this, Pisco Sour that.
Ellen couldn’t convince me of their gravity. I never had one until after she passed when I inherited the bottle she brought back from that trip. There was no option. I had to perfect the Pisco Sour. I started making them for whoever would walk through my door. They’d sit laughing in my wingback chairs as I squeezed the limes, separated the egg yolk, and splashed the bitters. It is hard work to attain this curious mix of sweet and sour, and it made my guests feel seen and worthy; just like she did.
I am sure that I would have never made the perfect Pisco Sour without my sister, just as I am sure I would have never started designing jewelry. To me, they are the perfect pair.
The Ellen 14k Gold Classic Hoop Earrings
I designed The Ellen Classic Hoop Earrings for everyday wear to withstand all of your adventures, whatever you dream up and pitch to your loved ones. Don’t forget to reward yourself. They are perfect to pair with your celebratory glass of wine, tequila, or, of course, a Pisco Sour. These earrings are a spinoff of my flagship ring, The Ellen Classic Stacking Band.
My Pisco Sour Recipe
Ingredients:
3 oz. Pisco (The bottle I inherited from Ellen is Caravedo’s Pisco Porton Mosto Verde Italia, but any Caravedo Pisco does the trick.)
1 Freshly Squeezed Lime (Don’t cut corners and buy the juice, put in the work!)
1 oz. Simple Syrup (My favorite is Simple Goodness Sister’s Rhubarb Vanilla Bean Syrup)
1 oz. Egg White
Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except the bitters into a cocktail shaker and shake for about 20 seconds. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake for an additional 20 seconds. Strain the mixture into a glass and garnish with a few drops of bitters.
