byYvette Marquezon December 21, 2020 (updated January 30, 2021)
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If you are in need of a delicious Christmas beverage, look no further than this traditional Ponche Navideño, a Mexican Christmas Fruit Punch. Filled with delicious and unique ingredients, this recipe is sure to transport you somewhere a little warmer during the holiday season.
Warm and tart, filled with sugar and spice and everything nice, this Ponche Navideño is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Add a nip of brandy or tequila to make this a very merry way to celebrate this Christmas.
This recipe is published in Latin Twist, and it is delicioso!
What is Ponche?
Ponche Navideño, which is also sometimes known as Ponche Mexicano, is a traditional Mexican fruit beverage. Ponche, which means punch, is essentially a warm fruit punch.
Think of it like the Mexican version of Spiced Apple Cider. Except instead of only apples and oranges, the punch is also made with some pretty cool Mexican fruits that you might not yet be familiar with. I know I wasn’t when I first tried it!
Ponche can be served with or without alcohol. It is most often consumed during the holiday season, generally during Las Posadas. On chilly nights, this warm and fragrant infusion warms you from the inside out.
Special Ingredients You’ll Need for Ponche
Since starting this blog in 2010, I’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with holiday drinks and learning about traditional Mexican ingredients. While I was unfamiliar with this particular recipe until just a few years ago, my grandma used to make a very similar calientito (warm drink) around the holidays.
It was exciting to learn about some of the unique ingredients that are commonly used in a traditional ponche. While it is likely that you’ll need to make a special trip to your local supermercado to find the ingredients needed to make this yummy Christmas drink, I promise it’s worth the extra effort!
Tejocotes
Tejocotes (a.k.a. Hawthorne Apples) are an ingredient I had never purchased before making this ponche. They have a sweet and sour taste, which is reminiscent of something between a plum and an apricot.
TIP: If you do not have access to tejocotes you can substitute with crab apples.
Guavas
Another unique ingredient I had never purchased before were guavas. When green, they look like limes and are ripe, when yellow, they are over ripened, soft, and very sweet. This fruit is soft and they dissolve in the water and add a uniquely sweet taste to the ponche.
TIP: Have some fruit that’s on the way out? Making a warm cocktail like this ponche, my spiced mulled wine, or homemade apple cider is a great way to give your fruit new life.
Tamarindo
My mom sold tamarind pods in our family’s neighborhood grocery store and although all the barrio kids loved it, it never appealed to me. I can’t believe I lived to my 30s without ever trying it! It has a very unique tart flavor and gives the punch its rich, warm color.
Piloncillo
The last ingredient that you might not yet be familiar with is piloncillo, which is a special type of raw cane sugar that has a delicious caramel flavor. It is often sold in cones, and for this recipe you’ll need one.
TIP: No piloncillo? No problem! Simply substitute dark brown sugar instead.
Here’s hoping you will venture out to your nearest Mexican grocery store and purchase some of these exotic ingredients to make your ponche Navideño. The intoxicating aroma will certainly entice your guests to give the drink a try. After that, they’ll most definitely be hooked!
How to Make Ponche Mexicano
This Ponche Navideño is actually quite simple to make once you have found the necessary ingredients.
In a large pot, over high heat, boil water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, tamarind, and tejocotes. After it starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until the tejocotes are soft.
Remove the tejocotes from the heat, peel, remove hard ends, cut in half, and deseed. Return them to the pot.
Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring gently. Discard cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Ladle into cups, making sure each cup gets some chunks of fruit.
Brandy or tequila can be added, making it ponche con piquete (punch with a sting). If you’re in my house over the holidays, my Ponche will sting like a bee, but make you float like a butterfly – that’s a promise!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ponche Navideño be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! The longer this drink sits, the better the flavors meld. Make this ponche a day or two before and refrigerate it in a large glass jar.
On the day you want to serve, put the drink in a slow cooker and set it on low about 45 minutes before guests arrive, and the drink should be ready to serve as your party gets started.
Do I have to use fresh sugarcane?
The sugarcane really adds a lovely sweetness to this punch that is not cloying. Plus, the fresh sugarcane is a delicious garnish. If you are unable to find fresh sugarcane at your local store, you can purchase a jar containing some of the unique ingredients like tejocotes, guavas, and sugarcane: Ponche Navideño en Almibar (Fruit Punch in Syrup).
I can’t find tamarind pods
Tamarindo pods can be purchased online, if you are unable to find them locally at a store. Or, you can replace with a handful of hibiscus flowers to give the punch a beautiful crimson color.
Where can I find the unique ingredients for this ponche recipe?
While the ingredients for my ponche navideño recipe are not likely to be on your regular supermarket shelves, it is very likely that you’ll be able to find them all at your local Latin market or International market.
Amazon is also a great resource for some of the unique ingredients.
If you made this Ponche Navideño, please rate and review it below so I know how it turned out for you! I’m curious to know what you and your guests made of it.
Ponche Navideño is a hot punch served with or without alcohol during the holiday season and most generally during Las Posadas. On those chilly nights, this warm and fragrant infusion warms you from the inside out.
▢ 5long tamarind pods, husk removed, and seeded or boil the entire pod to make removing easier
▢ ½poundtejocotes or crab apples, left whole
▢ 6large guavas, peeled and cut into large bite-size chunks
▢ 2red apples, of your choice, peeled, cored, and cut into small bite-size chunks
▢ 1pear, of your choice, peeled, cored, and cut into small bite-size chunks
▢ 24-inch sugarcane sticks, peeled and cut into small chunks
▢ 1cuppitted prunes
▢ 1/2cupdark raisins
▢ 1orange, sliced
▢ 1cone piloncillo, chopped or 1 cup dark brown sugar
▢ 1ouncebrandy or tequila per cup, optional
Instructions
In a large pot, over high heat, boil water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, tamarind, and tejocotes. After it starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until the tejocotes are soft.
Remove the tejocotes from the heat, peel, remove hard ends, cut in half, and deseed. Return them to the pot.
Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring gently. Discard cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Ladle into cups, making sure each cup gets some chunks of fruit.
Add brandy or tequila to each cup (optional).
Notes
If you are unable to find fresh sugarcane at your local store you can even purchase a jar containing some of unique ingredients like tejocotes, guavas, and sugarcane: Ponche Navideño en Almibar (Fruit Punch in Syrup).
Tamarindo pods can be purchased online, if you are unable to find them locally at a store. Or, you can replace with a handful of hibiscus flowers to give the punch a beautiful crimson color.
If you are unable to find tejocotes, add one extra apple.
Yvette Marquezis an Emmy-winning producer and writer, award-winning food blogger, and author of Muy Bueno,Latin Twist, and Muy Bueno Fiestas. She is a second-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in El Paso, Texas and currently lives in Colorado. She has been sharing cherished family Mexican recipes since 2010. Her blog is the perfect destination for anyone looking to embrace their culture through food, fiestas, and family life. Yvette has been featured in several prominent publications, websites, radio, and TV. Follow her at: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / YouTube
Made this for my family because it reminded me of my stay in Mexico. It’s Fantastic! I normally don’t do fruit punch but this is delicious! Thanks so much!
This punch looks like a great idea to serve at my Christmas party. It gets really cold here during the winter and this would be awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this.
This sounds delish!!! And whith a shot of whiskey will cure any cold! LOL This sounds like a nice alternative to Che’s favorite Chicha Morada (peruvian punch). Worth a try! Thanks.
Best,
Li
muybuenocookbook —
A peruvian punch sounds yummy! Do you have a recipe for that?
How would I make this for a party of about 100 guests.
muybuenocookbook —
Hola Leticia,
Make this ponche in a LARGE pot. I’ve made it in a tamale steamer before to make plenty. If you don’t have a large pot then make 4-5 pots of this recipe. This recipe makes about 20 servings. Best of luck. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
leticia —
But would I double up on the ingredients and by how much?
We were just talking about calientitos the other night. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
muybuenocookbook —
Leah, please make it and tell me what you think!!! Grama used to make one similar but only used apples, oranges, and of course cinnamon, cloves, and piloncillo. I’m positive you’ll find all the other unique ingredients in El Paso. Good luck. Besos!!!
Thanks for a childhood memory. I rember ponches during posadas. Thank you. Love the selection of ingredients. This recipe will bring wonderful aromas in the kitchen.
muybuenocookbook —
It’s our pleasure Eva. Enjoy the season. Feliz Navidad! Salud!
Ponche Navideño is hands down my favorite part of our Nochebuena dinner. My sister-in-law makes a tamarindo ponche much like this one and it is SO good, especially with a splash of tequila. 🙂
muybuenocookbook —
Leslie: MINE too! It’s so comforting…especially with tequila! We are flying to Idaho this Christmas and I plan to smuggle my ingredients to make this over there. LOL!
We like Ponche Navideno too. I make mine with hibiscus tea to give it a crimson color and that slightly tart taste that balances the sweetness from the fruit and piloncillos. The tejocotes are pricey but they are a gem when you get one in a serving.
The longer this steeps, the better the flavors. Salud! Where did you score your tejocote? I got mine at Rancho Liborio last year.
muybuenocookbook —
Hola Andrea,
We missed you at the meet up on Saturday. Heard you were making tamales – good for you. YAY!
Last year I found tejocotes at a little grocery store in Old Littleton. This year I saw them on Saturday for $7.99/pound at the grocery store I go to on Federal next to Tacos Junior. The grocery store used to be called Azteca and now I can’t remember its new name.
26 Comments on “Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas Fruit Punch)”
Made this for my family because it reminded me of my stay in Mexico. It’s Fantastic! I normally don’t do fruit punch but this is delicious! Thanks so much!
This punch looks like a great idea to serve at my Christmas party. It gets really cold here during the winter and this would be awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this.
This is the best!! I love making ponche all dec/jan. The house smells amazing!
Me too Vianney! I LOVE the smell of canela simmering and with all these additional ingredients it’s just amazing. Mmmm!
Mmmm this sounds so good 🙂
Gracias Rachel!
This sounds delish!!! And whith a shot of whiskey will cure any cold! LOL This sounds like a nice alternative to Che’s favorite Chicha Morada (peruvian punch). Worth a try! Thanks.
Best,
Li
A peruvian punch sounds yummy! Do you have a recipe for that?
Hmmm…this reminds me of a hot totty. Really yummy and great for the cold or if one has a cold.
I had a cold, so I can say…YES, its perfect for the sniffles 😉 Gracias Sujeiry!
To serve 100 people I would suggest you at least quadruple the ingredients. Hope that helps!
How would I make this for a party of about 100 guests.
Hola Leticia,
Make this ponche in a LARGE pot. I’ve made it in a tamale steamer before to make plenty. If you don’t have a large pot then make 4-5 pots of this recipe. This recipe makes about 20 servings. Best of luck. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
But would I double up on the ingredients and by how much?
We were just talking about calientitos the other night. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Leah, please make it and tell me what you think!!! Grama used to make one similar but only used apples, oranges, and of course cinnamon, cloves, and piloncillo. I’m positive you’ll find all the other unique ingredients in El Paso. Good luck. Besos!!!
Thanks for a childhood memory. I rember ponches during posadas. Thank you. Love the selection of ingredients. This recipe will bring wonderful aromas in the kitchen.
It’s our pleasure Eva. Enjoy the season. Feliz Navidad! Salud!
Se ve deliciooooso! Y que linda presentacion.
Comiendo en LA: Mil gracias!
Que ricura!
Gracias Mercedes!
Ponche Navideño is hands down my favorite part of our Nochebuena dinner. My sister-in-law makes a tamarindo ponche much like this one and it is SO good, especially with a splash of tequila. 🙂
Leslie: MINE too! It’s so comforting…especially with tequila! We are flying to Idaho this Christmas and I plan to smuggle my ingredients to make this over there. LOL!
We like Ponche Navideno too. I make mine with hibiscus tea to give it a crimson color and that slightly tart taste that balances the sweetness from the fruit and piloncillos. The tejocotes are pricey but they are a gem when you get one in a serving.
The longer this steeps, the better the flavors. Salud! Where did you score your tejocote? I got mine at Rancho Liborio last year.
Hola Andrea,
We missed you at the meet up on Saturday. Heard you were making tamales – good for you. YAY!
Last year I found tejocotes at a little grocery store in Old Littleton. This year I saw them on Saturday for $7.99/pound at the grocery store I go to on Federal next to Tacos Junior. The grocery store used to be called Azteca and now I can’t remember its new name.
Feliz Navidad amiga!