Latinally

These Traditional Holiday Drinks from Latin America Are the Flavors That Feel Like Home.

Holidays in Latin America, just as in any other country that celebrates this time of the year, are all about spending time with our loved ones and sharing the moment together. However, there’s something we are all on the lookout for: the flavor. Every country has their dishes and drinks that appear only during this season, usually prepared slowly, shared generously, and reheated days after dinner. These traditional holiday drinks from Latin America are made for long conversations, full tables, and that soft December nostalgia.

I know that Mexico has ponche, so I decided to see what other Latin American countries prepare for December holidays, and here are some of my favorites:

Ponche navideño (Mexico)

I’m very biased with this warm fruity punch that, honestly, tastes like family time in a mug. What do I mean by “fruity”? Well, think simmered guava, tejocote, apple, hibiscus, cinnamon, tamarind and sugarcane. However, each household has its own version. For example, some people add raisins to it. Regardless of the ingredients people add or subtract, it is a drink that fills the entire home with this unique scent of holidays and celebration. Sip it hot. And if the night calls for it, add a splash of rum or tequila.

Coquito (Puerto Rico)

Often called Puerto Rico’s answer to eggnog, this drink is a creamy coconut-based holiday drink, so cozy with rhythm. And, even though it gets compared to eggnog, it is safe to say it has its own personality.

Coconut milk, condensed milk, cinnamon, vanilla… and yes, traditionally rum. It’s sweet, silky, and meant to be shared in tiny glasses that somehow always get refilled.

Cola de Mono (Chile)

A traditional drink that is a lively, coffee-scented holiday drink, served cold. Its base ingredients, milk, coffee, cinnamon, cloves, sugar, and aguardiente, come together in a smooth, refreshing sip. Just add some pan de Pascua and you are ready for those holiday gatherings that make it feel like the house is full.

Canelazo (Ecuador)

A traditional Ecuadorian drink from the highlands, canelazo is all about warmth in a glass. Ideal for a holiday season that sometimes comes with cold nights or when the weather turns grey. It’s made by simmering cinnamon sticks and star anise in water, adding panela (unrefined cane sugar), chopped naranjilla fruit, and a splash of aguardiente to finish.

The result? A fragrant, mildly sweet, and gently spiced drink that feels like home from the first sip.

Batida de Coco (Brazil)

This creamy and coconut-forward drink is a Brazilian classic that often shows up during Christmas gatherings and summer festivities.
It blends coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, a touch of sugar, ice, and cachaça for that smooth, tropical kick. Think of it as Brazil’s breezy, beach-ready cousin to coquito.

Honorable mention: Rompope

This is similar to eggnog, but richer and more aromatic thanks to cinnamon and vanilla. Plus, besides being creamy and sweet, it’s traditionally prepared by nuns. Sometimes spiked, sometimes not but always festive.

Why These Traditional Holiday Drinks from Latin America Matter

Beyond taste, these drinks are traditions that families continue to share and adapt to their own rhythms. For me, even though I still get to enjoy those moments with my family, the smell of ponche carries a kind of nostalgia that feels instantly cozy and familiar.

That’s the magic of seasonal dishes and drinks: how they anchor us to specific memories, places, and the people we love. So whether your holidays are loud and full, quiet and reflective, or somewhere in between, these traditional holiday drinks from Latin America bring us back to something familiar. Something warm. Something ours.