Guatemalan Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Beverage) with Cinnamon
A warm, comforting traditional Guatemalan sweet corn drink infused with cinnamon and vanilla, perfect for chilly mornings or dessert. This latin american-inspired desserts (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes brings together (720ml) whole milk, (240ml) water, (100g) granulated sugar 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 180 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
- 2 cups (300g) fresh corn kernels, from about 3 ears
- 3 cups (720ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 stick (3 inches) cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 cups fresh corn kernels with 1 cup water and blend until smooth.
- Step 2: Pour the blended corn mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a medium saucepan, pressing to extract all liquid and some pulp.
- Step 3: Add 3 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1/4 tsp salt to the saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is hot but not boiling (about 5 minutes).
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp cornstarch with 3 tbsp cold water until smooth.
- Step 5: Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the hot corn mixture and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes until the drink thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 7: Remove the cinnamon stick and ladle the warm atol de elote into mugs. Serve immediately for a creamy, sweet, and fragrant treat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Guatemalan Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Beverage) with Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Guatemalan Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Beverage) with Cinnamon?
Refrigerate any leftover guatemalan atol de elote (sweet corn beverage) with cinnamon 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 Guatemalan Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Beverage) with Cinnamon?
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 Guatemalan Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Beverage) with Cinnamon 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.
Is Guatemalan Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Beverage) with Cinnamon vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
