Rompope
Ingredients
Rompope is an eggnog-like drink made with eggs, milk, and vanilla flavouring. The egg yolks impart a yellow hue to the emulsified beverage. It is a traditional drink in Mexico, where it was made in the convents of the city of Puebla. The word "rompope" is a derivation of the word rompon, which is used to describe the Spaniard version of eggnog that came to Mexico from Spain. Also, rompon utilizes rum as its main ingredient. The alcohol use in rompope varies from region to region, although rum (hence the name rompon and rompope) and pure cane alcohol are more common.
History
Rompope is one of many versions of the varied combinations of egg yolk, milk, sugar, and alcoholic spirits that are traditionally used for many celebrations in Europe and the Americas. Dutch advocaat is one that is known throughout the world. English eggnog, a descendent of the milk and sherry mix called "posset", and American eggnog made with either rum or bourbon are both similar to rompope. Spain was the original source of the recipes for egg punch that eventually arrived in the Spanish colonies. There are different close relatives of rompope in several countries (where local spirited drinks are incorporated into the mix), but it was Mexico in which rompope became a widely known beverage. Mexican rompope is mainstream, and there are several popular commercial brands of this drink widely available in international markets. Mexican rompope is typical of recipes that came out of the convents during Colonial period, particularly from Puebla de Los Angeles. The original Mexican rompope beverage was created in Puebla's Convento de Santa Clara in the 17th century.
Obtaining Rompope
Rompope is made commercially throughout Mexico. Although trade brands are mainstream, many locals prefer to make it at home. Several ingredients are sometimes added to the drink, including pecans, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, pine nuts, vanilla, strawberry and other local ingredients. Besides the holidays, locals drink rompope on family celebrations, and in addition to being a beverage, rompope is included in desserts. Commercial rompope is available in the United States, particularly in the states bordering Mexico.