Canelazo Recipe
At over 9,000 feet, Quito, Ecuador, has fairly chilly evenings. This strong cinnamon- and citrus-flavored cocktail is what QuiteƱos turn to to keep warm. Serve it as a shot at your next cocktail party, and we think you’ll agree that it’s warming as well as surprisingly potent.
What to buy: Aguardiente is a sugarcane-derived liquor that is savored for its light anise flavor; it can be found at most liquor stores.
Game plan: This drink can be made in a slow cooker or transferred to a thermal carafe to keep warm while it is being served.
This recipe was featured as part of our Spicy Holiday Cocktail Party menu, as well as our Drinks Around the World story.
- 4 cups water
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 8 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 1 medium orange, thinly sliced
- 2 cups aguardiente
- 1 medium lime, thinly sliced
- Combine water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook, covered, until the liquid has a noticeable cinnamon flavor, about 30 minutes.
- Keep the mixture warm over very low heat (it should no longer be simmering). Add the remaining ingredients, stir, and serve in small shot glasses or tumblers.
Whats happening over at those CHOW offics these days? There sure have been a lot of drink recipes lately. The taste testing must be fun!!!
Regardless of the lack of clover and the naranjilla in the recipe, which I'm not going to find in my neighborhood, I would be happy to drink this on a chilly night. The orange and lime might serve well to sub for the naranjilla and piloncillo is an easy find.
It is also missing clover
This recipe is missing naranjilla, also known as Lulo.
Piloncillo or raspadura, solid raw brown sugar, is more traditional in this drink than granulated. Of course it makes color much darker.
paulj
yum yum.
it turned out wonderfully,
Good to know... in Mexico the same drink is known as Canelita and is usually had before breakfast in rural areas... as people are heading out for farm duties.
sounds absolutely awesome!!! We made a nice batch up! really great
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