For those of you that didn't tune in to La Cocina de Leslie yesterday, I asked if you could identify the mystery beverage pictured above. Some of you guessed that it was either a Tequila Sunrise, Tejuino, Agua de Tamarindo or a Michelada. All great guesses, but none were correct.
The mystery beverage is a sweet and spicy drink called Pulque. A traditional beverage that has existed in Mexico since before the Spanish conquest.
Pulque is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the Maguey plant. A non-alcoholic pulque can also be made with the fresh (unfermented) sap called Agua Miel.
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| Maguey plant |
In many places throughout Mexico, you can find Pulquerias - cantinas that only serve pulque. But in my small town, that isn't necessary. We have a Pulque vendor who walks by a couple of times a week with his mobile pulqueria in a wheelbarrow.
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| Wheelbarrow Pulqueria |
If you choose to, you can drink pulque straight up. But here in Jalisco we like it with a little more flavor and texture in the form of chopped orange and red onion in a spicy chile sauce.
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| To prepare the Pulque, Don Tomas first adds a couple tablespoons of his spicy fruit mixture. |
The combination of flavors really work well together without being too spicy. If I can handle the heat, anyone can. And it is so refreshing on a hot summer day.
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| Don Tomas then fills the cup with Agua Miel. |
So if you're ever in the neighborhood or visiting any area of Mexico, this is one beverage that you have to try.
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| My youngest enjoying a cup of non-alcoholic Pulque prepared with Agua Miel. |
*Pulque is rich in vitamins, minerals and even protein!
