Canelazo is a drink that will warm you up on a cold night high in the Ecuadorian mountains. It's made from brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves, orange and lime juice, and the fiery concoction known as aguardiente (or "fire water"). Aguardiente is a broad term for high alcohol content beverages distilled from different things. The kind they enjoy in South America is made from cane sugar, so rum makes a great substitute if you can't find aguardiente.
This is a delicious drink to serve to friends on a cold winter's night. I think Santa would quite appreciate a steaming mug of canelazo with his plate of cookies.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups water
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 4-6 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 4 ounces (or more to taste) aguardiente or rum
Preparation:
- Bring the water, sugar, lime juice, salt, cinnamon sticks and cloves to a boil. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the orange juice. Add the aguardiente or rum (to taste).
- Reheat, without boiling. (If it boils, the alcohol will boil away). Strain and serve hot.
Serves 4
