Ponche Navideño—Warm Fruit Punch
Warm ponche Navideño combines seasonal fruits with tropical flavors in this traditional, festive Mexican holiday beverage.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 20 persons
Ingredients
- 2quarts hot water
- 8to 10 tejocotes*
- 2dried tamarind pods
- 10quarts drinking water
- 6guavas
- 3pounds raw sugar cane, in pieces
- 2pounds piloncillo
- ½pound prunes
- 2pears, peeled and chopped
- 1cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
- 1cup peeled and chopped green apples
- 1cup walnuts , chopped
- 2sticks of cinnamon
- 1teaspoon ground cloves
- 1pint brandy, optional
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
Soak tamarind pods and fresh tejocotes in very hot (but not boiling) water for about an hour. (If tejocotes are frozen, canned, or from a jar, they do not need to be soaked.)Step 3
Bring the 10 quarts of water to a boil in a very large pot, then reduce to a slow simmer.Step 4
Remove tamarind and tejocotes from soaking water and discard water. Remove brittle shells from tamarind; squeeze out seeds from pulp.Step 5
Cut tejocotes into quarters, removing skin. Add tamarind pulp and tejocotes to simmering water.Step 6
Cut guavas into quarters and add to pot. Add piloncillo, prunes, pears, orange juice, apple, walnuts, cinnamon, and cloves.Step 7
Chop or slice sugar cane into chunks (removing the tough outer layer, if necessary) and add it to the punch.Step 8
Simmer, uncovered, for about an hour, stirring occasionally.Step 9
Remove cinnamon sticks before serving to facilitate pouring. Use a ladle to pour liquid and chunks of fruit into large mugs. Provide spoons so that your guests can eat the fruit while sipping the hot liquid.