Xtabentún (liqueur) facts for kids
Xtabentún is a special traditional drink from the Yucatán region of Mexico. It's made using honey from bees that visit the xtabentún flower. It also has a flavor from anise seeds. A little rum is added to this sweet and unique drink. People sometimes call it "distilled honey," but the honey part is actually fermented, not distilled. It's a popular drink still made in the Yucatán today.
Where Xtabentún Comes From
Xtabentún might have started from an older drink called balché. The ancient Maya people made balché for special ceremonies. When Spanish explorers came to Mexico, they didn't like the strong taste of balché. So, they added anise seeds to make it taste better. They also stopped using tree bark and corn in the recipe.
What the Name Means
The word xtabentún comes from the Mayan language. It means "vines growing on stone." This name likely refers to the xtabentún flower, which grows like a vine.
How People Enjoy Xtabentún
People usually drink Xtabentún chilled, either by itself or with ice and a little honey. You can also mix it with coffee. Another popular way to drink it is to mix one part tequila with one part Xtabentún. This mix is called "Mayan coffee." If you add half a lime to it, it becomes a "Maya margarita." When Xtabentún is mixed with wine, it's called olhombre. In the Yucatec Maya language, olhombre means "clashing."
See also
In Spanish: Xtabentún (bebida) para niños
