Drink of the Week: Purple Drop

The ready-to-drink beverage market (think anything that comes in a can or bottle ready to be consumed) is a vast and varied category. New products hit shelves (both physical and virtual) every day, so a fresh release can easily get overlooked. This makes it all the more exciting to stumble across a new RTD that’s not only unique but delicious, like Purple Drop, the “Peruvian Super Drink.”

Launched this spring, Purple Drop is made from Peruvian purple corn, fruit juice, and spices, inspired by the country’s traditional beverage chicha morada. Founded by Maria and Roger Velasquez, Purple Drop is modeled after the recipe that Roger’s mother would make at home. With a short list of ingredients, the drink combines purple corn with pineapple and lime juices, with some cinnamon and clove, plus a little agave for sweetness.

True to its name, the drink pours a rich, saturated shade of purple (and is certainly rich in anthocyanin antioxidants). The flavor is at once familiar and wholly unique, with a fruity flavor somewhat reminiscent of not-so-sweet grape juice or fruit punch, while the baking spices complement a subtle, earthy complexity. Enjoy it chilled straight out of the can, give it a lift with some soda water, or use it as a flavorful, vibrantly-hued mixer. $35.94/6-pack, thepurpledrop.com