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Ponche Navideño was something I didn’t like as a kid. It was too sweet. Now, as a grown up, I absolutely LOVE it!
My friends, it’s delicious! Sweet and fruity. Comforting and yummy.
I invite you to make this recipe over and over again. It’s sure to warm you up this Holiday season.
Ingredients
These are the ingredients needed to make Ponche Navideño.
- Jamaica (or hibiscus flowers)
- Piloncillo (or swap out for sugar)
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Tejocote
- Apple
- Caña (or sugar cane)
- Guayaba
Optional:
Plums, raisins, oranges, pineapple, blueberries, tamarind, whole cloves, Star Anise.
Recipe Variations: Different parts of Mexico have different versions. In the south, for example, you will see this recipe with tropical fruits like pineapples and oranges.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Add water to a large stock pot.
- This recipe will make roughly 16 cups, or 1 gallon.
More water will be added. Right now, we are making the base for the drink.
Translation:
Ponche Navideño translated means “Christmas Punch.” Also called “Ponche Mexicano.”
Christmas Party Tip:
Make a big batch days ahead, even months ahead of time, and take out the day of the party. Multiply the recipe for larger parties.
- Add the cinnamon, piloncillo, and jamaica to the stock pot.
- Boil until the piloncillo is fully melted. About 5 minutes.
If you are using star anise, tamarind, or cloves, add them HERE.
This beverage is usually made during the Holidays along with champurrado, atole de chocolate, and cafe de olla.
Anything to keep you warm.
- Remove the jamaica from the stock pot.
- Leave the whole cinnamon in the pot.
The whole cinnamon is usually served for decoration. That’s why it’s ok to leave it in the pot.
If you are using star anise, tamarind, or cloves, also remove them from the pot.
Pro Tip:
Use the largest pot you have in the kitchen. This recipe makes enough for a party.
- Wash and chop the tejocotes, apples, and cana.
- If you can’t find tejocotes or cana, simply omit and add more of the other fruits.
Tejocotes (also known as Hawthorn apples or manzanitas) is a very traditional ingredient in ponche. However, it can be difficult to find.
The caña (or sugar cane) was sold already chopped and found in the refrigerated section.
Or, look for a large piece in the produce area of the grocery store and chop at home.
You can also buy whole sugar cane on Amazon.
- Add the tejocotes, apples, and caña to the pot.
- Add the rest of the water and give everything a good stir.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
The apples and the caña will pick up a reddish color. This is totally normal.
Many people serve ponche with traditional Mexican Christmas foods like tamales, pozole, or menudo.
It’s a great way to stay warm during the posadas.
- Wash and cut the guayaba in half.
- Add to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
The guayaba will fall apart. There is no way around it.
The most important part is to taste it. Add more water if you want it less sweet. Or add sugar if you want it sweeter.
How long does Ponche Navideño Last?
- In the fridge, it lasts 3 days.
- In the freezer, it lasts 8-12 months.
It is supposed to be served warm with buñuelos or pork tamales. Such an easy and delicious way to celebrate the Holidays.
This post was recently updated. You might remember the old picture above.
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Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas Punch)
Ingredients
- 1 stick piloncillo
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (or jamaica)
- 2 cinnamon sticks whole
- 16 cups water divided
- 16 ounces sugar cane (or caña) chopped into 2-inch pieces
- 4 apples diced
- 1 lb tejocotes
- 8 guayaba cut in half
Instructions
- Add the piloncillo, hibiscus flowers, and cinnamon to a large stock pot.
- Cover with water. About 8 cups.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer until the piloncillo has fully melted.
- Remove the cooked hibiscus flowers.
- Add the sugar cane, apples, tejocotes to the pot.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the guayaba. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- In the fridge, it lasts 3 days.
- In the freezer, it lasts 8-12 months.
That punch sounds so amazing. I have never heard of a lot of those ingredients but I am willing to learn. I will try and save this for a big gathering.
It is amazing! Perfect for the holidays!
I wish I had everything on hand to make this. This looks so yummy and refreshing!
It’s soo good! Hope you try it.
What a great way to celebrate the holidays! Looks easy, really, once you get started.
Right? So easy and delicious
Yum, what great flavors. I will have to try this for sure. I bet my family would love it.
Delicious and flavorful!
Wow this sounds SO good! I need to source these ingredients and give this a try, looks so refreshing.
Delicious and refreshing!
What a delicious holiday drink. We’ll have to try it. Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday!
It’s delicious indeed! Glad you enjoyed it
That looks like a delicious Christmas punch. I’d enjoy it, I’m sure. I am saving this to try, but won’t be in time for Christmas, so perhaps New Year’s eve!
Perfect recipe for the Holidays! You will love it!
I’m always looking for new punch drinks like this. I will have to give yours a try real soon. It really does look amazing.
Thanks! Hope you try this recipe.
It looks like an interesting drink! I bet it is delicious, I’d love to try it sometime.
Delicious indeed. Hope you try it!
This Mexican Christmas Punch sounds really tasty! Perfect for our Christmas dinner party! I love that it’s sweet and fruity. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked this recipe is amazing!
That is a really different Christmas punch recipe! I like that it has cinnamon and cloves!
It’s amazing! Hope you try it
I have a friend that used to make this for every holiday office gathering. It was always a hit. Always reminded me of a super sweet tea but it a treat because I know how difficult some of the ingredients were to find
It’s delicious. Hope you try this recipe!
This sounds like an amazing idea to brew up for Christmas – I bet it tastes absolutely wonderful – I could definitely see myself trying some!
It’s amazing. Hope you try it!
Looks and sound yummy. Reminds me of a mull I drink with red wine, warm.
My husband said the same thing about ponche. That it reminded him of mulled wine. LOL.
It’s really nice to learn more about how different cultures and countries celebrate the season. I wouldn’t mind giving that Punch a try!
it’s delicious. Hope you try it!