Xtabentún
Yucatán's tourism ministry describes xtabentún as a Yucatecan liqueur made with honey and anise. A municipal guide adds that it's made with honey from bees that feed on the xtabentún flower. It's served at Yucatecan food showcases and experiences.
Balché
The ministry records balché as a drink made from the bark of the tree of the same name and associated with ceremonies. It isn't a restaurant drink but part of a ritual context worth respecting.
Corn drinks
- New-corn atole: part of daily life and of Hanal Pixán altars.
- Pozole with coconut or cacao: a refreshing, filling corn-masa drink.
Fresh waters
- Horchata, including coconut-cinnamon horchata.
- Lima water, sometimes with chaya (a leafy regional plant) and sweetened with honey.
- Pineapple-chaya or pitahaya water, in season.
- Regional fruit drinks.
Tips
- Drink plenty of water: the heat dehydrates.
- Xtabentún is sweet but alcoholic; sip in moderation.
- Ask for the water of the day at fondas and markets.
Drinks along the way
Regional lunches on Mary Tours trips, such as the one at the Santa Bárbara cenotes, are a good chance to try local fresh waters. Trips leave from the office on Calle 61 in downtown Mérida.
| Drink | Type | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Xtabentún | Liqueur | Honey and anise |
| Balché | Ceremonial | Balché bark |
| New-corn atole | Corn drink | Corn |
| Coconut pozole | Corn drink | Masa and coconut |
| Horchata | Fresh water | Rice or coconut |
| Chaya water | Fresh water | Chaya with fruit |
Fun facts
- Xtabentún uses honey from bees that visit the xtabentún flower.
- Balché is a ceremonial drink.
- Pozole comes with coconut or cacao.
Related tours
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Chichén Itzá, Izamal and Valladolid
Four stops in one day, and none of them rushed
from $1,200 MXN per person
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8:00 AM – 8:00 PM · daily
- 8:00 AM Departure from the office — An hour on the road to Izamal. The guide uses the drive to set up what comes next.
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Cenotes · 7 h
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- 12:00 PM Xooch cenote — Semi-open, with a shaft of light that falls straight onto the water mid-morning.
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Frequently asked questions
What is xtabentún?
A Yucatecan liqueur made with honey and anise.
What is balché?
A drink made from the bark of the balché tree, associated with ceremonies.
What is chaya?
A regional plant used in fresh waters such as lima or pineapple with chaya.
What's drunk at Hanal Pixán?
New-corn atole and chocolate, among other drinks offered on altars.
