Atole

Atole is a warm, thick, comforting Mesoamerican drink built on corn — either fresh masa of nixtamalised maize or dried corn flour (masa harina) — cooked slowly with water or milk until it thickens to the consistency of a thin porridge. It is sweetened, traditionally with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), and perfumed with cinnamon and often vanilla, then drunk piping hot. Predating the Spanish conquest, atole remains an everyday breakfast and a fixture of Mexican and Central American celebration, classically served alongside tamales. It is non-alcoholic and, in its plain water-based form, naturally dairy-free.