Top 3 Portuguese Alcoholic Mixed Drinks

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.Expand

Nikita is an ice cream cocktail that hails from Madeira. It is made with a combination of ice cream, fresh pineapple, pineapple juice, and typically beer or white wine. Most versions opt for either beer or wine, but some mix both. This cocktail can be made in a blender—this will ensure creamier texture—by simply adding all the ingredients and blending until smooth. Another option is to put all the ingredients in a large container and use a mexelote—a wooden muddler used to make the popular poncha cocktail—to muddle and mix all the elements until the drink is smooth and creamy. The drink is poured into glasses and comes garnished with a pineapple slice. Most establishments serve it with unshelled peanuts. It is believed that this creamy cocktail got its name after a popular Elton John. Both the drink and the eponymous song allegedly appeared in 1985. The non-alcoholic version is also available.Expand

Originating from Terceira Island in the Azores, Liquorice Stick is a cocktail with numerous variations and many different recipes. Some sources suggest that the drink is made with cola and either absinthe or anise-flavored liqueur, while others say it is made with vodka instead of cola. In any case, the cocktail is traditionally garnished with a piece of black licorice. Varieties of the drink are popular in Spain, Greece, and Italy, and all countries use a different anise-flavored liqueur, usually the one that is native to their country.Expand