Ponche (Spanish Style Eggnog)

The following is a drink that I grew up drinking every Christmas. I remember looking forward to Christmas just to be able to drink this deliciously sweet and creamy drink.  Of course, as a child my mother used to make it for my sisters and me  without alcohol. However, as I grew up I realize that adults would put something else in their drinks that we children were not allow to have.

One Christmas eve when all the adults were busy with their celebration my sister who was 7 at the time and me, 10 years old, decided to sneak into the kitchen and give the ponche a taste. Of course, I made my sister taste it first and the face she made was not one of enjoyment so I decided not to taste it myself.  Ponche is generally made with alcohol but it is also very good without it which makes it a great drink for the whole family. 

The Ingredients for this yummy drink are:

one cinnamon stick or cinnamon power

5 Sweet cloves

lemon peel

1/4 Cup water

1 can evaporated milk

1 can condense milk

1 can coconut milk

3 egg yolks

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1 tbsp vanilla

Optional: Rum (any kind would work)

In a saucepan place the water, lemon peel, sweet cloves and cinnamon stick, if you decided to use cinnamon power just add it at the end of the recipe with the nutmeg. Let it boil for a little while until you can smell the aroma of the spices.  Then turn it off, strain the water and leave it aside.

Place the rest of the ingredients in the blender and blend them together until well combined. Then combine together the liquid from the spices with the milks combination in a sauce pan or metal bowl and place it in a bain marie. Leave it there for 40 minutes, stir occasionally.

Now is done it is ready to serve.  If you decide to add alcohol to it this is the time.  

Ponches make great gifts just put them in a pretty bottle and place a bow on it and it is done.

I hope you enjoy this drink as much as I do and I assure you most kids love it as well.