{{Short description|Traditional alcoholic drink from Madeira}}{{More citations needed|date=November 2025}}{{Infobox drink | name = Poncha | image = Poncha.JPG | caption = Poncha | type = Cocktail | base = | ingredients ={{plainlist|* 5 cl aguardente de cana * Honey * Lemon juice * 2 teaspoons sugar (optional) * Orange juice}} | served = no ice | garnish = sugar cane, lime (ingredient) | prep = Place lemon rind and sugar into old fashioned glass and muddle (mash the two ingredients together using a 'mexelote' or a wooden spoon). Add the aguardente de cana and lemon juice. | drinkware = Old fashioned glass }}
'''Poncha''' is a traditional alcoholic drink from the island of Madeira, made with aguardente de cana (distilled alcohol made from sugar cane juice), honey, sugar, and either orange juice or lemon juice. Some varieties include other fruit juices.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 2020|title=5 bebidas para provar na Ilha da Madeira|url=https://canaldointercambio.com/2020/10/5-bebidas-para-provar-na-ilha-da-madeira/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>
It is mixed together with a mixing tool created in Madeira officially called a ''mexelote'' but more commonly known as a ''caralhinho'' (little cock), a type of muddler. Caipirinha is based on poncha.<ref> {{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/my-round-madeira-mixes-things-with-the-best-5360062.html | title = My Round: Madeira mixes things with the best | accessdate = 2018-12-18 | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Richard | last=Ehrlich | date=2002-10-20}} </ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Poncha - Ocean Retreat|url=https://www.ocean-retreat.com/eat-drink/poncha/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=www.ocean-retreat.com}}</ref>
It is said in Madeira that poncha cures the common cold and people are encouraged to drink it if they have cold-like symptoms.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
==History==
The drink may be based on an Indian drink called pãnch/panch.{{cn|date=March 2025}} In Hindi ''pãnch/panch'' means five and the drink was originally made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. This is also where the English drink punch originated from.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Mixed drinks Category:Portuguese alcoholic beverages Category:Drinks from Madeira