Ponche is a traditional Latin American punch, with regional variations found predominantly in Mexico and Central America.
The Mexican version, known as ponche navideño, is especially associated with Christmas festivities and is typically prepared with seasonal fruits such as tejocotes (Mexican hawthorn), guavas, apples, tamarind pods, sugar cane, and prunes, sweetened with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), and spiced with cinnamon and cloves. Some recipes include alcohol, commonly rum or brandy.
In Central America, ponche recipes often utilize local fruits and in Guatemala, ponche is typically served hot during the holiday season.
The origins of ponche trace to Spanish colonial influences, itself derived from the Indian punch "panch," which referred to a five-ingredient drink.