Tejuino (Fermented Corn Drink)

Cool off with a tall glass of sweet, tangy, and refreshing Tejuino. This plant-based fermented corn drink has been around for centuries, and now you can make it at home!

This recipe comes to us from Mitch and Justine of Broke Bank Vegan.

For a video showing how to make this recipe, click here.

For more recipes with lime, click here.

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Ingredients:

For the Masa:

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water for blending

For the Syrup:

• 16 ounces piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar)
• 4 cups water
• 2 limes

To Serve(optional):

• Limes
• Sea salt
• Crushed ice or lime sorbet

Directions:

To make the masa & syrup:

1. First, make the masa by whisking the salt and masa harina together. Then, add in the warm water while kneading to form a dough ball. Let the dough rest covered with a tea towel while you prepare the syrup.

2. In a large saucepan, bring piloncillo and 4 cups of water to simmer for 6-7 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved. Turn the heat down to low.

3. Next, add ½ the masa to a blender with 1 cup of water. Mix until smooth. Transfer to the pot of piloncillo syrup while stirring, and repeat this process with the second ½ of the masa.

4. Cook the mixture over medium or just over medium for 10-15 minutes, or until thickened. Remove the pot from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes, then squeeze in the juice from 2 limes and combine well.

5. Cover the pot (or transfer to a glass/clay container) with a breathable tea towel or cheesecloth. Keep the container in a dry, clean area for up to 2-4 days to ferment.

To Serve:

6. When it is done fermenting, blend the mixture in batches with ~½ cup water in each batch (or enough to move your blender). Transfer to a large pot or container ~⅔ full of ice.

7. To each cup, add a pinch of salt, the juice from ½ a lime, and ice to the top of the cup. Fill the rest of the cup with Tejuino, then mix it back and forth a few times with another cup to combine. Enjoy!

Optional: add a scoop of lime sorbet (nieve de limón) or shaved ice on top.