What is the name of the Peruvian drink made from purple corn?
Answer
Chicha morada
Answer
Chicha morada
The Peruvian drink made from purple corn is chicha morada.
Its base is a traditional Andean variety of purple maize, known as maíz morado and related to the Quechua term k’culli. The drink’s history reaches back to pre-Columbian Peru, before the Inca Empire. Modern recipes commonly boil the corn with pineapple rind, cinnamon, cloves, and sometimes quince.
After straining, the deep-purple liquid is cooled and sweetened with sugar or chancaca. Lemon, chopped fruit, or ice may be added when it is served. The drink is a staple of Peruvian cuisine and is especially popular alongside savory dishes and festive foods.
A common mix-up is chicha de jora, another Peruvian corn beverage. Chicha de jora is fermented and alcoholic, while chicha morada is generally a sweet, non-alcoholic refresco. Chicha morada is also distinct from mazamorra morada, a purple-corn pudding.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026