A Taste of Nicaragua: Drinks

Some popular drinks in Nicaragua are pinolillo, horchata de arroz (sweet rice with milk), la macua (rum, guava, lemon, sugar), cebada (barley), fresco de pino y arroz (pineapple and rice), etc. The main ingredients used in these drinks are rice, milk, tropical fruits, grains, and corn. Horchata de arroz is a common drink in many Latin American countries that is made with tiger nuts, milk, rice, and sometimes people add cinnamon to add more flavor. You can buy horchata in any hispanic store or in your local supermarket. Another drink is pinolillo, which is a nutritious drink that is made with sweet cornmeal, cacao, milk and water. Pinolillo is a very traditional drink in Nicaragua that people will make almost everyday. Pinolillo is such a known drink that some Nicaraguans have nicknamed themselves, "Pinoleros", making Pinolillo a cultural symbol. Pinolillo can be made for parties for special praying ceremonies or just for breakfast with some other local dishes like nacatamales. Here is simplified recipe of Pinolillo or you can buy the mix online:

Ingredients

1 cup white cornmeal

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 cup sugar

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

dash of ground cloves

5 cups of water

Put all ingredients in a pitcher.

Beat hard until the cornmeal and cocoa are well mixed. Chill.

Stir well before serving. Add milk and sugar to make it sweeter and enjoy!

sources: http://www.whats4eats.com/central-america/nicaragua-cuisine, http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Cornmeal_Cocoa_Beverage_(Nicaragua), http://www.backroadsnicaragua.com/culture.htm