Mexican Punch

Mexican Ponche in a cozy cup with cinnamon stick.

Ponche Navideño is a Mexican holiday tradition! It's a warm drink made with cinnamon sticks, fruit, and raw sugar cane. This recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings, the family, or just enjoying a warm, cozy drink at Christmas!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15

Simmer Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings Servings

Calories 130kcal

Author Christine McMichael

Ingredients

2 1/2 to 3 quarts of water in large pot
3 medium cinnamon sticks
6 medium guavas cut into chunks
5 medium apples cut into chunks
3 tamarind pods peeled and seeded
6 ounces piloncillo also called panela
6 tejocotes whole
4 prunes halved
sugar cane cut into long strips

Instructions

Let the tamarind pods soak in warm water for about 30 minutes.
Once they are soft, peel off the brittle shell part and squeeze out the seed pulp into the pot of water.
Bring the water to a rolling boil for about 5 minutes, then add the Piloncillo and the cinnamon sticks. For the Piloncillo you can use a cheese grater to grate the cone.
After the water has boiled for about 5 minutes, lower the heat to a low simmer and add in the guavas, apples, Tejocotes, prunes, and sugar cane.
TIP: Since the Tejocotes are already in liquid, they can be added now, otherwise, they would have needed to be soaked with the tamarind since they tend to have a thicker skin.
Let the pot simmer for about an hour. When the apples are no longer floating, taste and add sugar as you see fit. Most of the time no sugar needs to be added since the fruit releases its sweetness during the simmering!
Once it’s ready you can ladle the Ponche into mugs, making sure to add some of the fruit. Add a stick of sugar cane or cinnamon to each mug and enjoy!

Nutrition