Traditional Mexican Christmas Ponche Recipe│ Ponche Navideño

Español There’s nothing like the aromas of Christmas in Mexico, and one of the most iconic scents is that of Mexican Christmas punch (ponche navideño).

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I fondly remember arriving at my abuelita Conchis home during the holidays and smelling the delightful blend of cinnamon, cloves, and fruit simmering in a clay pot. It was a sensory treat that marked the beginning of the most special time of the year.

What is Ponche Navideño?

Ponche navideño is a Mexican warm fruit punch made by simmering a mix of seasonal fruits, dried fruit, and unique ingredients like tamarind pods, cane sugar, and sugar cane sticks. This traditional drink has a sweet flavor that can be customized to your personal taste. Often served in serving mugs, the punch is enjoyed with chunks of fruit and, for some, a splash of alcohol (con piquete) to make it extra festive. The ingredients might have some variations from home to home or even the region of Mexico where it is made. While the recipe varies by region, its essence remains the same: bringing family together around a steaming pot filled with tradition.

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Ingredients for Ponche Navideño

When making Mexican ponche, there’s no strict recipe, as the sweetness of the fruits can vary. Use the traditional ingredients listed below as a guide, but feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your personal taste. Whether you prefer more fruit or a sweeter flavor, this Mexican Christmas punch is versatile and forgiving. Here’s what you’ll need:

Fruits and Spices

• 3 small pieces of fresh sugar cane or sugar cane sticks (brands like Goya sell them frozen in Mexican supermarkets, along with guavas and tejocotes)
• 2 apples, peeled and diced into small squares
• 2 pears dice into small squares (optional)
• 8 guavas, quartered and then cut in half
• 2 orange, remove the skin and save it! cut the orange into slices
• 8 tejocotes (Mexican hawthorn)
• 8 prunes, chopped into smaller pieces
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica)
• 2 tamarind pods, peeled
• 4-5 oz piloncillo or 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 gallon water
• 2 large cinnamon sticks
• 6 cloves
• 1 cup chopped pecan

These ingredients are the heart of a flavorful Mexican ponche. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

Special Tips:

• Dice the fruit into small pieces for easier serving and enjoyment.
• Ponche is traditionally served in a mug with a spoon, allowing you to sip the warm drink while savoring the delicious fruit chunks. It’s both a drink and a treat in one!
• Some people like to grab a couple of cups of ponche and blend it with the fruit and then put it back in the pot to make it thicker.

Sweeteners and Flavorings Substitues

• Use Brown or regular sugar if you can’t find piloncillo. 
• Cane sugar and fruits. Visit your Mexican supermarket, brands like Goya sell special frozen packages with fruits and cane sugar for traditional ponche.
• Not finding Tamarind pods? most times I only use jamaica (hibiscus flowers) and it turns out delicious but I know many Mexican homes mix tamarind and jamaica.

How to Make Mexican Ponche Navideño

This easy recipe for Christmas fruit punch will fill your home with the magic of Christmas time:

• Boil water: In a big pot over high heat, bring 1 gallon of water to a boil with cinnamon sticks, cloves, 1 oragen skin, tamarind pods, and flor de jamaica (hibiscus flowers). Add sweeteners: Stir in the sugar or piloncillo until dissolved.

• Let it simmer for 15 minutes.

• Strain the hibiscus flowers, tamarind seed, orange skin and cloves.

• Incorporate fruits: Add chunks of fresh sugar cane, guavas, apples, tejocotes, orange slices, pear, half the pecans and dried fruit. Let the punch simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.

• Serve hot: Ladle the punch into serving mugs, ensuring everyone gets pieces of fruit. Top with small pieces of pecans

• Add a splash of rum or brandy in the mug for those who like it con piquete.

How to Store Mexican Ponche

Ponche is one of those dishes that only gets better with time! As the days pass, the natural sugars from the fruit intensify, creating a richer, more concentrated flavor. By the second or third day, reheated ponche is absolutely irresistible!

Tips for Storing:

• Remove orange slices: Before storing, discard any orange slices left in the punch, as they can make the drink bitter over time.
• Use an airtight container: Transfer the ponche to a sealed container and refrigerate. Properly stored, it can last up to five days.
• Reheat and enjoy: Warm the ponche before serving—its flavor improves with each reheating.

Enjoy this traditional Mexican Christmas drink over several days and savor its evolving taste!

Why Mexican Ponche is Special

This comforting fruit punch is more than just a warm drink—it’s a symbol of the Christmas season in Mexico. From special meals during Noche Buena to casual family gatherings, ponche mexicano ties every moment together with its sweet and fruity flavors. Found in every Mexican supermarket and made with ingredients from Mexican grocery stores, it’s a beloved tradition both in Mexico and the United States.

Merry Christmas (Feliz Navidad) and happy cooking! 

The holiday season in Mexico is incomplete without the comforting warmth of ponche navideño, a traditional Mexican Christmas punch. This hot drink, often enjoyed during Las Posadas, fills Mexican households with the delightful aromas of cinnamon, fresh fruits, and hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica). Whether it’s Christmas Eve or Three Kings Day, this ponche mexicano is the heart of family gatherings and celebrations.