Atol de Elote (Guatemalan Fresh Corn Drink)
Local name: Atol de elote
In short: A warm, silky drink of fresh sweet corn blended with water and milk, simmered with cinnamon and sugar until lightly thick. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 205 kcal
Atol de elote is the comfort drink of Guatemalan evenings, served steaming and slightly sweet in cups at markets and street corners. Fresh corn is blended and strained, then cooked with milk, sugar and a stick of cinnamon until it thickens like thin custard. The taste is pure sweet corn with warm spice, and a pinch of salt wakes up the sweetness. Serve it in mugs on a cool night, with sweet bread or a tamal.
Instructions
- Cut the kernels from the ears and scrape the cobs with the back of a knife to release the sweet milky juice.
- Blend the kernels, the scrapings, the water and 250 ml (1 cup) of the milk for 2 minutes, until very smooth.
- Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a pot, pressing with a spoon to extract every drop. Discard the fibrous pulp.
- Add the remaining milk, the cinnamon stick, sugar and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 12 to 15 minutes, until the atol thickens enough to coat the spoon.
- Remove the cinnamon stick, taste and add more sugar if you like.
- Serve hot in mugs, dusted with ground cinnamon.
Tips
- For a dairy-free version, use all water or an unsweetened oat or almond drink in place of the milk.
- Stir constantly and keep the heat moderate, because the corn starch catches on the bottom of the pot. If lumps form, whisk hard or pass the atol through the sieve again.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen or canned corn for atol de elote?
Frozen kernels, thawed, work very well. Canned corn is saltier and softer, so rinse it well, reduce the salt and expect a less sweet drink.
Can I serve atol de elote cold?
It is traditionally served hot. Chilled leftovers thicken into a pudding-like texture and are good with a splash of milk stirred in.
How long does atol de elote keep?
Up to 3 days in the fridge. It thickens as it cools, so loosen it with a little milk when you reheat it.
How long does it take to make Atol de Elote (Guatemalan Fresh Corn Drink)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Atol de Elote (Guatemalan Fresh Corn Drink)?
About 205 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 205 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
