🇳🇮 Nicaraguan Cuisine

Pinol

Toasted Corn Drink

Prep Time 20 min
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy
Calories 158 kcal

A thick, grainy beverage made from finely ground toasted corn mixed with water and sweetened with sugar, a staple of Nicaraguan identity.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Toast dried corn kernels on a dry comal over medium heat, stirring constantly, until deep golden and fragrant, about 15 minutes.
  2. 2 Let corn cool completely, then grind to a fine powder in a blender or grain mill.
  3. 3 Mix corn powder with sugar in a pitcher. Gradually add cold water, whisking to prevent lumps.
  4. 4 Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and evenly suspended. Add cinnamon if desired.
  5. 5 Serve immediately over ice. Stir before each serving as the corn will settle to the bottom.

Did You Know?

Nicaraguans are affectionately called pinoleros after this beloved drink, making pinol a symbol of national identity.