Atole

Not to be confused with Atoll.

Atole

Origin
Alternative name(s)	Atol
Place of origin	Mexico
Details
Type	Non-alcoholic beverage
Serving temperature	Hot
Main ingredient(s)	Masa, water, piloncillo, cinnamon, vanilla
Variations	Champurrado

Atole (Mexican Spanish<phonos file="Atole1.ogg">a'tole</phonos>, from Nahuatl ātōlli [aːˈtoːlːi]), also known as atol and 'atol de elote', is a traditional hot corn- and masa-based beverage of Mexican origin. Chocolate atole is known as champurrado or atole. It is typically accompanied with tamales, and very popular during the Christmas holiday season (Las Posadas).

In Mexico

In Mexico drink typically includes masa (corn hominy flour), water, piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon, vanilla and optional chocolate or fruit. The mixture is blended and heated before serving. Atole is made by toasting masa on a comal (griddle), then adding water that was boiled with cinnamon sticks. The resulting blends vary in texture, ranging from a porridge to a very thin liquid consistency. Atole can also be prepared with rice, flour, or oatmeal in place of masa. In northern Mexico, there is also a variation using pinole (sweetened toasted corn meal). Although atole is one of the traditional drinks of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, it is very common during breakfast and dinnertime at any time of year. It is usually sold as street food.

Atole served at the Atole Fair in Coacalco de Berriozábal, State of Mexico

In Northern Mexico and South Texas, atole is a traditional comfort food. It is often eaten as a breakfast or an after dinner snack on cold days. In New Mexico, blue corn atole is finely ground cornmeal toasted for cooking, consumed as a grainy porridge-style drink served warm, usually sweetened with sugar and/or thinned with milk. It is usually served at breakfast like cream of wheat or oatmeal. It is said that elders would drink atole because it gave them energy and if a mother is nursing it gives her more milk. Salvadoran varieties include atol shuco ("dirty" atol, a reference to its darker color), particularly popular in the Cabañas region. The Nicaraguan homologue is pinolillo. In some parts of Honduras, fresh corn is ground and the expressed liquid is used as the base (instead of masa flour).

In Central America

Atol de Elote in Guatemala

In Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador Atol de Elote is a popular beverage. Pineapple atol (Atol de Piña) is also imbibed in El Salvador.

See also

• Gruel
• Avena
• Chicha morada
• List of hot beverages
• List of maize dishes
• List of porridges
• Food portal