Canelazo de Canela y Aguardiente
A warm, spiced alcoholic beverage popular in Ecuador, especially during colder months and festive occasions. It's made with aguardiente (sugarcane spirit), cinnamon, sugar, and naranjilla or fruit juice.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyEasy
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Aguardiente (Ecuadorian sugarcane spirit)
- 4 cups Water
- 3 large Cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup Brown sugar(or to taste)
- 1 cup Naranjilla pulp (or passion fruit juice)
- 1 tsp Orange zest(optional, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large saucepan, combine water, cinnamon sticks, and brown sugar.
💡 Tip: Ensure sugar is dissolved completely. - 2
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the cinnamon to infuse.
- 3
Remove from heat and stir in the naranjilla pulp or passion fruit juice.
💡 Tip: Adjust sweetness to your preference. - 4
Add the aguardiente to the mixture.
💡 Tip: Do not boil after adding alcohol to preserve its potency. - 5
Serve hot in mugs, garnished with orange zest if desired.
💡 Tip: Can be kept warm in a slow cooker for parties.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Adjust the amount of sugar and aguardiente to your personal taste.
- ✓Naranjilla is traditional, but passion fruit or even orange juice can be used as substitutes.
- ✓For a non-alcoholic version, omit the aguardiente and increase the water and fruit juice proportionally.
🔄 Variations
- Add a slice of orange or lime to each mug.
- A pinch of ground cloves can add extra warmth.
- Some recipes include a splash of rum or pisco for added complexity.