Cape Verde’s house liqueur: grogue, the islands’ cane spirit, blended with cane honey and lime. It is poured after meals and at celebrations, and every island and household claims a different balance.
It is built on grogue, a distilled spirit that cannot legally be made without a licence, and the base is the whole drink.
What goes into it
- grogue, the local cane spirit
- mel de cana — cane honey
- lime juice and zest
- sometimes cinnamon or passion fruit
How it is made
Cane juice is boiled down to a thick dark honey, then stirred into grogue with lime until the sweetness and the spirit sit in balance. The mixture is rested for weeks so the flavours settle, and it is drunk without further ageing.
How long it takes: a few weeks of resting after blending
How it is eaten
In small glasses after a meal, at weddings and festivals.
History
Grogue blended with cane honey and lime, the islands’ house liqueur, poured after meals and at celebrations.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ponche?
Ponche is a wine & spirit from Cape Verde: grogue liqueur blended with molasses and lime. Grogue blended with cane honey and lime, the islands’ house liqueur, poured after meals and at celebrations.
How is Ponche made?
Cane juice is boiled down to a thick dark honey, then stirred into grogue with lime until the sweetness and the spirit sit in balance. The mixture is rested for weeks so the flavours settle, and it is drunk without further ageing. It takes a few weeks of resting after blending.
Can I make Ponche at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It is built on grogue, a distilled spirit that cannot legally be made without a licence, and the base is the whole drink.
What goes into Ponche?
Grogue, the local cane spirit, mel de cana — cane honey, lime juice and zest, sometimes cinnamon or passion fruit.
How is Ponche eaten?
In small glasses after a meal, at weddings and festivals.
