Pinolillo
A toasted-corn and cacao drink with cinnamon — an ancient, earthy beverage of Guanacaste and Nicaragua, served cold or warm.
Costa Rican 15 min 4 servings
Costa RicanDrinksVegetarian
Ingredients
4 srv
- 1/2 cuptoasted corn flour (pinol)
- 2 tbspcocoa powder
- 1 tspcinnamon
- 4 cupswater or milk
- 1/4 cupsugar (to taste)
- ice (to serve)
Instructions
- 1
Whisk the pinol (toasted ground corn), cocoa, and cinnamon with a little water into a smooth paste to avoid lumps.
- 2
Blend with the rest of the water (or milk) and the sugar until smooth.
- 3
Strain if you prefer it less gritty.
- 4
Serve cold over ice, or warm. Stir before each pour, as the corn settles.
Notes
Pinolillo is so iconic that Nicaraguans call themselves 'pinoleros.' Toasted corn flour (pinol) is sold ready-made at Latin markets. The corn naturally settles, so stir as you go. Photo: Adobe Stock (#488440312), licensed.
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