Poncha
Madeira's beloved local drink muddling aguardente de cana with honey and citrus, traditionally prepared with a special wooden stick called a caralhinho.
- 2 ozwhite rum
- ¾ ozhoney syrup
- ½ ozfresh lemon juice
- ½ ozfresh orange juice
- Orange slicegarnish
- 1Add honey to a rocks glass or small bowl.
- 2Add lemon and orange juice.
- 3Muddle vigorously to dissolve the honey (traditionally with a wooden caralhinho stick).
- 4Add aguardente de cana (or substitute white rum) and stir.
- 5Serve without ice in the traditional style, or over ice for a modern approach.
- 6Garnish with an orange slice.
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Poncha has been the signature drink of Madeira for centuries, with origins traced to fishermen and farmers who mixed the island's sugar cane spirit with honey to ward off cold and illness. The drink is traditionally prepared using a "caralhinho," a wooden stick with a forked end used to muddle and mix ingredients. Poncha bars (poncha houses) are essential Madeiran cultural institutions.
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