Victor Hugo Padilla Jimenez

What are the best drinks to serve with tamales during Las Posadas?

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Picture this: the lights are twinkling, the piñatas are swinging, and your tío is already telling the same joke for the fifth year in a row. Yep, it’s Las Posadas—and nothing says holiday magic like a steaming plate of tamales. But wait—what about the drinks? You can’t just hand out tamales without a delicious sip to match! Don’t be *that* host. Let’s get you ready to pour happiness right into your guests’ cups.

The best drinks to serve with tamales during Las Posadas include traditional Mexican beverages like atole, champurrado, ponche navideño, café de olla, and agua fresca. These drinks pair perfectly with both sweet and savory tamales and add authentic holiday flavor to your Posadas celebration.

Warm drinks that hug your soul

When it’s cold outside and your guests are bundled tighter than a tamal in corn husk, serve drinks that feel like a warm hug. Atole is thick, sweet, and made with corn masa—it’s basically a drinkable tamal cousin. Want chocolate? Go with champurrado, the cocoa-rich version that’ll make abuelita proud. These warm drinks bring comfort and tradition, and they go perfectly with tamales, especially the savory kind.

Fruity sips for every generation

Not everyone wants something thick or hot. That’s where agua fresca comes in. Serve up refreshing options like jamaica (hibiscus tea) or tamarindo (tamarind punch). These fruity drinks keep the little ones happy and the tíos from falling asleep before the piñata. Bonus: they look super festive on the table next to those colorful tamales!

The king of Posadas: ponche navideño

This is the big one—ponche navideño. A warm fruit punch packed with tejocotes, guavas, cinnamon, and sometimes a sneaky splash of rum for the adults. It’s spicy, fruity, and smells like holiday joy. Pair it with tamales de rajas or sweet tamales for a combo that tastes like tradition and celebration rolled into one steamy cup and cozy bite.

Coffee that smells like abuela’s kitchen

For the grown-ups who need a little boost after round three of “¡Pedir posada!”, bring out the café de olla. This is no regular coffee. It’s brewed with cinnamon, cloves, and piloncillo—basically a warm invite back to your childhood. Perfect for balancing out rich pork tamales or sweet pineapple ones.

Drinks that make every bite better

When choosing drinks to serve with tamales, go for balance. Sweet drinks go well with savory tamales. Spicy or hearty tamales? Lighten things up with a tangy agua fresca. Got dessert tamales? Pair them with café de olla or champurrado. Your taste buds (and guests) will thank you.

So grab your mugs, stir your pots, and pour with love. With the right drinks, your tamales go from tasty to totally unforgettable.