Spice Up The Holidays With the Sweet Taste and Aroma of Honey-Infused Ponches

USA - English

• Latin America - español

FIRESTONE, Colo., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiced Honey Ponche with ground cinnamon and winter-warming rum. Honey Salvadorian Ponche with the soothing taste of chamomile and refreshing pineapple. This holiday season expert mixologist Deysi Alvarez teams up with the National Honey Board (NHB) to reinvent the traditional Latin American ponches of the winter holidays and introduces them with the distinctive flavor of the natural sweetener she grew up with: honey!

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111206/LA17630)

Traditional ponches are enjoyed during Las Posadas, a centuries-old festivity observed throughout Latin America to remember Mary and Joseph seeking shelter before the birth of baby Jesus. They are also served during Christmas and New Year's Eve when people enjoy the aromatic drinks with friends and family.

As a Latina, Deysi Alvarez grew up observing Las Posadas and always looked forward to the tasty drinks, which influenced her to develop her own original recipes. "The key to making the perfect ponche is using natural, fresh ingredients and you don't get any more natural than honey," states Deysi. "Its unbeatable flavor complements liquor, fruits and spices beautifully. I feel strongly that once you've tried these recipes, honey will become your secret ingredient for the most delicious ponches."

Working alongside top mixologist Julian Cox and award-winning chef Ricardo Zarate as a full time fixture at the popular West LA Picca Cantina Restaurant, Deysi has learned the importance of only using quality ingredients such as honey. She collaborated with the NHB to create honey-infused holiday ponches that explore the unique, aromatic qualities of honey and pair it with traditional ponche ingredients, like apples and cinnamon, to develop what are sure to become the hit of the season and the new holiday staples.

The incomparable taste of honey in the holiday ponches will bring life to your party and balance out your favorite holiday dishes. Whatever you plan on cooking, whether it be tamales or turkey, these honey-infused holiday ponches will make the perfect match.

This holiday season, Deysi Alvarez shares her favorite honey-infused ponche recipes that you can enjoy with your whole family. Be the talk of the party with these deliciously sweet and unique blends!

All of Deysi's honey-infused ponche recipes can be found exclusively on www.mielpura.org.

About the National Honey Board
The National Honey Board is a federal research and promotion board under USDA oversight that conducts research, marketing and promotion programs to help maintain and expand markets for honey and honey products. These programs are funded by an assessment of one cent per pound on domestic and imported honey.

SOURCE National Honey Board