Whip Up Something Special: Ernesto’s Recipe For “Batido”

Batido is extremely easy to make, and a great new twist on your classic Manischewitz.

To begin by stating the obvious, holidays mean something different for every family. I grew up in a split family of Jewish father and Christian mother, so the holidays meant wrapping paper of blue and white and red and green, menorahs and a tree, a walk through the desert, and a shimmy down the chimney. What I loved the most about celebrating both holidays was that for my family, the focus came off of religion and onto tradition. The holidays were about making rice pudding on Christmas morning, and picking out which candle on the menorah would go out last.

The first time I was gifted with the holiday traditions of another family was in high school. My friend Katya, who is Mexican and Peruvian, (or Mexiruvian, as she puts it) invited me over for her family’s annual holiday party. I had been to holiday parties before, most of which I spent stacking my plate with shrimp cocktail and hiding from the adults.

Christmas at Katya’s house was something completely different. Kids and adults alike crowded into the small kitchen to cook and hang out together. While chatting and chopping, Katya passed me her delicious family tradition in a glass: what looked like a frothy red wine topped with cranberry colored foam. The drink was called “Batido,” a special treat her father Ernesto makes every Christmas. As I struggled to retrieve the last of the foam from the bottom of the glass, I found out a little more about their sweet-tasting tradition.

“Batido” is named for how it is made: the word in English means “whisked” or “whipped,” how the three ingredients are combined into frothy bliss. Batido is extremely easy to make, and a great new twist on your classic Manischewitz. Moral of the story: jetsetters should always be open to new recipes and traditions in the households we visit, whether down the street or across the ocean. Whip this one up and enjoy!

Batido Ingredients:

One bottle of red wine. 6 eggs. 1 cup white sugar

Instructions:

1. 1. Separate 6 eggs, placing the whites in a large glass bowl and putting the yolks aside for later.
   2. Whisk the egg whites until the mixture thickens and peaks, like a meringue.
   3. Gradually add the cup of sugar while continuing to whisk the mixture.
   4. Pour the bottle of wine into the egg white/sugar mixture, whisk.
   5. Add the 6 egg yolks to the mixture, whisk.
   6. It is easiest to serve Batido out of a punch bowl. Ladle into a cold wine glass and enjoy!

Lena Kazer

Lena is a Chicago native, her travel style consists of red cowboy boots that make her feel like she can take over the world. She adores Peru and can't travel without her journal to draw or write in.