With the holidays coming up and Thanksgiving being right around the corner all I can think about is warm foods and drinks! Today I wanted to share a recipe for a Peruvian drink that is perfect for sharing during the cold holiday weather!

Peruvian Chicha Morada is a beverage originated in the Andean regions of Peru made from dried purple corn, along with fruit and spices served over ice. This is a very popular drink and just for a little bit of historical background. In ancient times, this regal corn brew was considered more than just a simple drink but it was written in history that South Americans boiled the cobs to make medicine and used it for annual celebrations and divine offerings. Eventually, however, it became a popular drink served in restaurants and convenience stores everywhere. 

It takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook. In total, this 55 minute drink starts with a bag of corn! Here are the ingredients you will need (for 8 servings): 

• 1 (15-ounce) bag of dried purple corn
• 16 cups water
• 3 whole cinnamon sticks
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 whole pineapple, diced 
• 1 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 green apple
• https://www.acozykitchen.com/peruvian-chicha-morada

After all the ingredients are prepped, you will then add all the fruits and spices to a large pot of water and heat it over high heat. Once the mixture reaches a boil reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for about 45 minutes. Once this is done, you can remove the pot from the heat and place it above a strainer, pouring the mixture through to transfer the mixture’s contents. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, before placing it in the refrigerator until cold. This is where you can then stir in the lime juice and sugar. The best part is you can take everything you strained from the pot, put it back in another pot of water, and start the process all over again, making batches from the leftovers. 

Although this drink is traditionally served cold, it will not only make your stomach happy, but it will make your house smell amazing. Who knows, maybe the drink tastes good hot too! Try out this recipe for the holiday and Happy Thanksgiving!