~268 cal · 0g protein · 70g carbs · 0g fat (estimated, per serving)
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Small glass of amber sugarcane punch
🇨🇻 Santiago (Praia)
Ponche is Cape Verde's beloved after-dinner drink, built on grogue — the fiery sugarcane rum distilled across the islands — sweetened with mel de cana (cane molasses) and sharpened with lime. Thick, sweet, and potent, it is poured in small glasses and savored, a taste of the archipelago's sugarcane heritage.
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🥕 Vegetarian
🌱 Vegan
🌾 Gluten-Free
🥛 Dairy-Free
🥜 Nut-Free
🥚 Egg-Free
Ingredients
Serves 6 —
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2 cups grogue (sugarcane rum)
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1 cup cane molasses (mel de cana)
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2 lime
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1 strip lemon zest
Instructions
1
Warm the molasses slightly if it is stiff so it will blend smoothly.
2
Whisk the grogue and molasses together until fully combined and glossy.
3
Stir in the lime juice and lemon zest and let it rest an hour for the flavors to marry.
4
Serve at room temperature or lightly chilled in small glasses.
Cape Verdean island tradition.
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🌏 While it simmers — know your destination
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Santiago (Praia). The largest island, home of the slow-simmered cachupa.
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Cape Verde. Atlantic islands whose slow-cooked cachupa never ends.
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Africa. Fifty-four countries of tagines, stews, and fire-kissed grills.
The story behind this dish is up top — worth a read while the pot works.
👩🍳
Richard Moore & Kelsey Tucker
Recipes cooked, tested, and researched by the creators of Spin the Globe. How we build our recipes →
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