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Ponche con Piquete
Ponche con piquete is Mexico’s Christmas punch: fruit simmered with cinnamon and dark sugar, served hot with a splash of tequila or rum. Sweet-tart and warming, much like mulled wine.
🍷 Please drink responsibly and only if you are of legal drinking age. Avoid alcohol if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or driving.
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📖 The Story Behind This Drink
During Las Posadas, the nine nights of celebrations before Christmas starting on December 16, big pots of ponche navideño are shared with neighbors. Guava, apple, orange, and sugarcane are simmered together, and adults get a "piquete" (a sting) of tequila or rum in their cups.
🌆 Where it’s enjoyed: On a Posadas night in a neighbor’s courtyard, ponche is ladled from a steaming pot into cups as people sing and eat tamales.
🥕 Ingredients (serves 8)
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Orange
2
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Apple
2
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Guava
4 (optional)
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Raisins
30g
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Cinnamon Stick
2
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Cloves
4
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Dark Brown Sugar
100g
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Water
2L
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Lime
1
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Tequila
30ml per cup
👩🍳 Instructions
Core the apples and cut into 2cm cubes, skin on. Slice one orange into rounds and juice the other. Quarter the guavas if using.
Put the water, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar in a pot over medium heat. When it boils, simmer 10 minutes on low to release the aroma.
Add the apple, guava, raisins, and orange slices, cover, and simmer on low for 30 minutes until the fruit is soft.
Stir in the orange juice just before turning off the heat, only warming it through.
Ladle the punch and fruit into cups, add the tequila, and stir. Serve with lime to squeeze.
💡 Tips for Success
- Roru’s creator tried a quick version: hot orange juice with tequila, cinnamon, and lime. With the cinnamon and lime, it tastes much like mulled wine.
- Add the tequila cup by cup at the end; simmering it drives off the alcohol and aroma. Rum or brandy also works.
- Without alcohol it’s ponche navideño, which kids can enjoy. Eat the fruit with a spoon. Please drink responsibly and only if of legal drinking age.
