How to Make Guatemalan Ponche: A Traditional Holiday Beverage

I’ve recently made it back home for the holidays after spending the last 8 months abroad. My time in London had me dreaming about hot Christmas beverages, number one on the list being ponche!

Guatemalan Ponche is a warm, spiced fruit punch that is especially popular during the holiday season. This delightful drink combines various fruits, spices, and often a little bit of rum, making it a festive and comforting choice. Here’s how you can prepare this traditional beverage at home.

Ingredients

• Fruits:
  • 6 apples, diced
  • 1 large papaya, diced
  • 1 large pineapple, diced
  • 1 cup of diced coconut meat (about 2 coconuts)
  • 3 plantains, diced
  • The peel of an orange
  • 1 cup of dried prunes
  • 1 cup of raisins
• Spices:
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 4-5 cloves
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 4-5 wholespice berries
• Liquids:
  • 4-5 liters of water
  • 3-4 cups of sugar (or to taste)
  • 1-2 cups of rum (optional, to taste; can also be replaced by 2 litters of red wine, my personal preference is Merlot)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fruits: Start by washing and chopping all the fresh fruits. Set them aside. Keep the pineapple rinds and the apple cores.
2. Boil the Water: In a large pot, bring the 4 or 5 litters of water to a boil along with the pineapple rinds and the apple cores. Once boiling, simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Remove the rinds and apple cores from the water and add the Dried Fruits and Spices: Once the water is boiling, add the dried prunes, the raisins. Add the spices in a spice bag for easier removal once done. Let them simmer for about 20 minutes until they soften.
4. Incorporate Fresh Fruits: Add the diced apple, pineapple, coconut, papaya and plantain.
5. Sweeten the Mixture: Gradually add sugar to taste, especially if you prefer a sweeter punch. Stir well to ensure it dissolves completely.
6. Add Rum or wine (Optional): If you’d like to spike the ponche, add the rum or wine at this stage and stir well.
7. Serve Hot: Once everything is mixed and heated through, remove the pot from heat. Ladle the ponche into cups and enjoy while it’s still warm.

Tips

• Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar based on your preference and the sweetness of the fruits.
• Presentation: Garnish with a cinnamon stick or a slice of orange in each cup for a decorative touch.

Conclusion

Guatemalan Ponche is not just a drink; it’s a wonderful blend of flavors and traditions that can warm up any cold evening. Perfect for celebrations or cozy family gatherings, this recipe is sure to bring the spirit of Guatemala right into your home. Enjoy!