A warming Mexican Christmas punch made with seasonal fruits and piloncillo.
About this recipe
Ponche navideno is a warming fruit punch made with guava, apple, pear, tamarind, sugar cane and prunes, sweetened with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) and spiced with cinnamon. The essential drink of the posadas and the entire Christmas season in Mexico.
History & Origin
Ponche navideño (Christmas punch) is inseparable from Mexican posadas, the celebrations held from the 16th to the 24th of December. Its origin combines the Spanish tradition of warm beverages with fruits native to Mexico, especially the tejocote, a small fruit similar to a crab apple that has been used since pre-Hispanic times. It is customary to chew on a stick of sugar cane between sips of ponche. In many households, a 'piquete' (splash) of rum, brandy, or tequila is added for the adults. The preparation of ponche officially marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Mexico.
Estimated cost
£11.20
Total cost
£1.12
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
179
Calories
2g
Protein
25g
Carbohydrates
2.5g
Fat
2g
Fibre
19mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
Boil 3 litres of water in a large pot. Add the cinnamon sticks and the chopped piloncillo (raw cane sugar). Cook over medium heat until the piloncillo dissolves.
- 2
Add the peeled tamarind pods and the prunes. Cook for 10 minutes.
- 3
Add the sugar cane cut into pieces and the guavas cut in half.
- 4
Stir in the apples and pears cut into cubes. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
💡 Do not let it boil too hard; the ponche should simmer gently so the fruit keeps its shape.
- 5
Prueba y ajusta la dulzura with more piloncillo (raw cane sugar) si es necesario. Sirve hot en cups o jarritos de barro with pieces de fruta.
Have you tried this recipe?
Tell us how it turned out. Your feedback helps other cooks.
Leave a reviewRelated Articles
Rate this recipe
Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.
Read moreRelated Recipes
Cajeta Atole
Creamy maize atole with Guanajuato goat's milk cajeta — sweet and deeply comforting.
Mexican Flag (Bandera Mexicana Tequila Ritual)
Three shot glasses representing the colours of the Mexican flag.
Tamarind Water
Sweet-and-sour agua fresca made from natural tamarind pulp.
Walnut Atole (Mexican Holiday Drink)
Hot walnut atole with cinnamon and piloncillo, traditional for Mexican festivities.
Related Guides
Learn more about these ingredients and dishes
Enjoyed this?
Follow on TikTok for Mexican recipe & restaurant videos, and get updates by email.