Overview
Pinolillo is a traditional, nutrient-dense cornmeal and cacao-based drink that has been consumed in Nicaragua and Costa Rica for centuries, including by indigenous people before European contact. The sweet drink is made of toasted corn, a small amount of roasted cacao, and spices such as cinnamon, allspice and cloves, traditionally ground with a mortar and pestle. Pinolillo can be mixed with water, milk or soy milk, and served sweetened or unsweetened. If unsweetened, it is rather bitter. The vitamin-rich drink is usually thick and has a gritty texture, and a pleasant aroma.