Authentic Mexican Atole: The Perfect Drink For Cool Fall & Winter Days

As the days get shorter and cooler, nothing tastes better than a hot, comforting drink. In Mexico, the beverage of choice for the season is often Mexican atole. It’s both a sweet treat and a warm blanket for your taste buds.

What is it, exactly? The drink is traditionally made with ground corn, cornstarch, water, sweetener (like sugar or honey), and milk for a creamy consistency. However, there are many variations – some cooks don’t use corn at all, and instead go for finely ground rice flour or oatmeal.

Corn is what the ancient Aztecs used, though, which is where this drink originates. Hundreds of years ago, they ground up corn very fine, added water, and then sometimes sweetened it with cane sugar.

However you make this drink, you’ll find it warm, thick, and delicious.

Traditional Mexican Atole: A Perfect Winter Drink

This is one of the beloved traditional Mexican drinks. To make it, follow this recipe:

(Recipe Credit to Mely Martinez, Mexico In My Kitchen)

 

You’ll need:

  • 2 cups cooked corn kernels
  • 4 cups milk, divided
  • 3/4 cups water
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 1/3 cup sugar, or your sweetener of choice (use more or less depending on how sweet you want it)
  • 5 tablespoons cornstarch

 

How to make it:

  • Dissolve the cornstarch in 1 cup of water until there are no lumps. Set aside.
  • Puree the corn with 1 cup of the milk in a blender until smooth.
  • Strain the liquid from the blended corn mixture through a sieve or colander into a pot. Add the sugar, the remaining 3 cups of milk, the dissolved cornstarch mixture, and the cinnamon stick.
  • Cook over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir frequently to keep the mixture from sticking to the pot.
  • Stir until thickened – this might take up to 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. Serve warm in mugscinamon and sugar

 

Variations of Atole to Try:

If you like the traditional drink, you might love one of these delicious variations. Try one, or try them all if you’re feeling adventurous!

Champurrado

Champurrado is essentially an atole made with chocolate. When all is said and done, you’ll feel like you’re sipping on the richest, thickest hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted.

Blackberry Atole

For a delicious berry flavor in a beautiful color, this recipe adds fresh blackberries to the mix.

Citrus Atole

Adding citrus flavor to atole is the perfect recipe for a festive drink, and just right to brighten up cold, dreary days. This recipe adds freshly squeezed orange juice, but you can use the store-bought kind, too.

 

Atole is a scrumptious way to welcome colder weather. For more authentic Mexican flavors, prepare your appetite for a delicious meal at Benitos Mexican Restaurant.