Surprise your guests with a wonderful Mexican Ponche!
One of our most cherished Christmas traditions in Mexico is the exquisite Ponche. A wonderful hot infusion made of several Mexican fruits – boiled in water with aromatic spices, piloncillo and sugar cane sticks (our traditional form of sugar).
The origin of Ponche is unknown. Some say it came from India, from a drink called Päc, then adopted by the Europeans, and brought to Mexico by the Spaniards
Normally we use a very large pot to make enough quantity to offer in the traditional posadas and holiday parties. This drink is served hot and adults like to add a splash of rum. During the chilly days, there’s nothing better than a cup of hot ponche.
Ponche is served really hot in clay jarritos or cantaritos, and you might need a small spoon to eat the pieces of fruit. Kids love it, and most of the times they need to wait a little to cool it down before drinking, to avoid burning their tongues.
Try to make a smaller quantity with your family and then you can go big!
Ponche Mexicano RECIPE
Serves: 15 people – cooking time: 50 minutes
*All ingredients are available this time of the year at your favorite Mexican market
Ingredients:
- 8 fresh guavas cut in fourths
- 1 lb. hawthorn fruit (Mexican tejocotes) cut in halves. Set two full aside
- 1 lb. fresh sugar cane, peeled and cut into 3″ sticks (available in Mexican markets fresh or frozen)
- 5 cinammon sticks
- 1 cone of piloncillo
- 2 apples cut in chunks
- 4 cups of brown sugar
- 7 oz. hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica)
- 7 oz. tamarind beans – shells and veins removed
- 3.5 oz. prunes (pitted)
- 8 cloves (whole)
- 1.5 gal. water
Preparation:
- After rinsing all the fruits, cut/chop as indicated
- Take the two full hawthorn fruits (tecojotes) and insert 4 cloves on each one
- Put the water and all the ingredients in a large pot to boil for 35 minutes. Add water if necessary
- Serve hot and Feliz Navidad!
If you would like to learn more Mexican recipes, you can host a cooking class at home and I’ll arrive to show you the ropes. To learn more click here!
