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
$16.34
Total cost
$1.63
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on US supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
179
Calories
2g
Protein
25g
Carbohydrates
2.5g
Fat
2g
Fiber
19mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
Hierve 3 litres de water en a pot large. Añade the canelas en rama y el piloncillo (raw cane sugar) troceado. Cuisine over medium heat until el piloncillo (raw cane sugar) se disuelva.
- 2
Añade the tamarindos pelados y the ciruelas raisins. Cuisine 10 minutes.
- 3
Agrega la caña de sugar cortada in pieces y the guayabas cortadas for la mitad.
- 4
Incorpora the manzanas y peras cortadas in cubes. Cuisine over medium heat-under durante 30 minutes.
💡 No dejes hervir demasiado fuerte; el ponche se cuisine a heat soft for that the frutas conserven su 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.
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Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for European kitchens. Based in Madrid since 2018.
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