Pinolillo (Nicaraguan Toasted Corn and Cocoa Drink)
In short: A cold Nicaraguan drink of toasted corn, cocoa and warm spices, made from a pantry mix and served over plenty of ice. It takes about 13 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 13 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 100 kcal
Cold, earthy and lightly sweet, pinolillo is a Nicaraguan drink that tastes of toasted corn and cacao at once, somewhere between chocolate milk and a thin porridge. In shops it is sold as a ready-made powder to shake with cold water and plenty of ice. This home version toasts fine cornmeal and mixes it with cocoa, cinnamon and allspice, so you can keep a jar of the mix in the pantry.
Instructions
- Toast the cornmeal in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells like toasted nuts and turns light golden brown. Do not let it scorch. Spread it on a plate and cool completely.
- Whisk the cooled cornmeal with the cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. For a smoother drink, blitz the mix in a blender or spice grinder for 30 seconds, then store it in a jar.
- For each glass, put 3 1/2 tablespoons (28 g) of the mix in a jar or shaker with 250 ml (1 cup) of cold water. Shake or blend for 20 seconds.
- Pour over ice and drink right away, stirring before each sip, because the corn settles quickly.
Tips
- Use fine cornmeal and blitz the finished mix if you can. Coarse grains leave the drink gritty.
- For a creamier drink, replace half of the water with cold plant-based milk such as oat or soy milk.
Questions and answers
What does pinolillo taste like?
Toasty and earthy, like chocolate and roasted corn together, with a little cinnamon and allspice. It is lightly sweet and slightly thick.
Where can I buy ready-made pinolillo?
Latin American markets and online shops sell it as a powder. Follow the package for the amounts to mix with cold water or plant-based milk.
How long does the homemade mix keep?
About 1 month in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place. Shake the jar before scooping.
How long does it take to make Pinolillo (Nicaraguan Toasted Corn and Cocoa Drink)?
About 13 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pinolillo (Nicaraguan Toasted Corn and Cocoa Drink)?
About 100 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
