# Poncha

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncha
> Source revision: 1324638220
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{{Short description|Traditional alcoholic drink from Madeira}}{{More citations needed|date=November 2025}}{{Infobox drink
| name        = Poncha
| image       = Poncha.JPG  
| caption     = Poncha 
| type        = [Cocktail](/source/List_of_cocktails)
| base        = 
| ingredients ={{plainlist|* 5 cl [aguardente](/source/Aguardiente) de cana
* Honey
* Lemon juice
* 2 teaspoons [sugar](/source/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](/source/Aguardiente) de cana and lemon juice.
| drinkware   = [Old fashioned glass](/source/Old_fashioned_glass)
}}

'''Poncha''' is a traditional alcoholic drink from the island of [Madeira](/source/Madeira), made with [aguardente](/source/Aguardiente) de cana (distilled alcohol made from sugar cane juice), [honey](/source/honey), [sugar](/source/sugar), and either [orange juice](/source/orange_juice) or [lemon juice](/source/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](/source/muddler). [Caipirinha](/source/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](/source/Hindi) ''pãnch/panch'' means [five](/source/5) and the drink was originally made with five ingredients: [alcohol](/source/distilled_beverage), [sugar](/source/sugar), [lemon](/source/lemon), water, and [tea](/source/tea) or [spice](/source/spice)s. This is also where the English drink [punch](/source/Punch_(drink)) originated from.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

Category:Mixed drinks
Category:Portuguese alcoholic beverages
Category:Drinks from Madeira

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Poncha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncha) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncha?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.