Cinnamon and Sugar Cane Aguardiente Canelazo
A traditional Ecuadorian hot cocktail made by simmering cinnamon and sugar with aguardiente, perfect for warming chilly evenings. This latin american-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, granulated sugar, sticks cinnamon sticks for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3/4 cup aguardiente
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium pot, bring 3 cups water, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 3 cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid is fragrant and the sugar fully dissolves.
- Step 2: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice.
- Step 3: Carefully add 3/4 cup aguardiente and stir gently. Ladle the hot canelazo into mugs and serve immediately for a cozy, spiced drink.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon and Sugar Cane Aguardiente Canelazo take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Cinnamon and Sugar Cane Aguardiente Canelazo?
Refrigerate any leftover cinnamon and sugar cane aguardiente canelazo in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon and Sugar Cane Aguardiente Canelazo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cinnamon and Sugar Cane Aguardiente Canelazo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cinnamon and Sugar Cane Aguardiente Canelazo?
Latin American cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
