I first tried Rompope in 1976 when I was a kid visiting Mexico City and the wonderful family of the exchange student we hosted the previous year. I didnt really know what it was then, but I knew it tasted great. What Rompope is, is a delicious sweet egg yolk, milk and rum based drink. There are many similar egg based liqueur style drinks around the world. Advocaat in Netherlands, Coquito in Puerto Rico, Egg Nog in England and the US and many others…They are usually based on Rums or Brandy’s, but many other aged spirits can be used such as bourbon or even aged tequila…Rompope gets its name from rum….the ‘Rom’ part is derived from the Spanish word for Rum, Ron

Rompope is very similar in recipe and method to pastry cream. Only the egg yolks are used and it is cooked so the eggs are not raw. The spirits you use also help keep preserve your Rompope so you can make this days or even weeks ahead of time. I find that it is a wonderful change of pace to Egg Nog during the holiday season.

• 1 quart whole milk
• 1 cup white cane sugar(or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 Cup Homemade Almond Orgeat (Cashew Orgeat Recipe…Substitute Almonds)
• 12 egg yolks
• 3-4  cups (your taste) quality Añejo Tequila

Add milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and orgeat to large sauce pan.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, add egg yolks and beat. With a ladle, add hot milk to egg yolks a little at a time while whisking it in. This will keep the eggs from curdling with the hot milk…once it is all incorporated, pour this mixture back into the sauce pan over simmering water or in a double boiler and simmer slowly while stirring. The mixture will thicken. When it coats a spoon, it is done…should be about 10-15 minutes.

Pour into bowl or other container and allow to cool. Add Tequila. And use a high quality Anejo. This is a special and seasonal drink hand made by you, so dont be cheap. You don’t have to use a rare tequila, just a high quality one. You can place this into bottles or other container…I prefer glass in this case…. and store in the refrigerator. It will be a nice creamy yellow color.

Rompope can be made ahead for holiday parties and will keep in the fridge for several weeks or more.

Serve over ice or shaken and served up with fresh grated cinnamon or served over ice cream, cake, or shaved ice. I gave this the name “Papa Noel” after doing an event for Tres Generaciones and made an Anejo Tequila Rompope. There is a cinnamon stick shown in this photo…skip it…it’s a waste of cinnamon and gets in the way.. 🙂

VARIATIONS and IMPROVISATIONS Aged Rum Bourbon Cognac Orange Zest Lemon Zest Coconut Winter Spices Various Liqueurs (Grand Marnier, Peach, Banana etc..)