Poncha

Poncha is a traditional cocktail from Madeira consisting of sugar cane spirit (aguardente de cana), fresh citrus juice, and honey. The drink is traditionally made with lemons, though modern variations often opt for oranges, tangerines, or other fruit.

Poncha is made by mixing lemon juice and honey and then adding aguardente. Optionally, citrus fruit can be muddled with honey, and the drink is then topped with sugar cane spirit and citrus juice. The ingredients are traditionally mixed with a wooden muddler called caralhinho or mexelote.

It is believed that Poncha originated in the 18th or 19th century and that its origin was influenced by a similar Indian drink called panche. This Indian version, whose name translates as five ingredients, probably included arrack, lemon, juice, spices, and water.

The drink originated at Câmara de Lobos, but it is now enjoyed everywhere in Madeira. It is said that the Brazilian national cocktail Caipirinha was modeled on Poncha.