Verbena Diana (Arequipa Diana): Step-by-Step Recipe (VIDEO RECIPE)
A party drink to warm up cold nights.
The diana de verbena, a delicious recipe deeply rooted in Arequipa's tradition, is a comforting drink made with chestnuts, almonds, melon, cinnamon, and coconut. This beverage, ideal for chilly nights, was a staple at both processions and festivals.
It's common to find the diana de verbena at various celebrations and festivities in Arequipa, where it's shared among friends and family. If you're looking for an authentic drink with deep cultural roots, the diana de verbena is undoubtedly an exceptional choice.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Using a net, we made a bundle with anise, cloves, and cinnamon, and boiled it in a pot with 5 liters of water for 20 minutes.
- We grind the chestnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, coconut, rice, and melon seeds.
- We place the ground ingredients in another mesh bag and soak it in water. After 5 minutes, we collect the bag and squeeze it well to extract the flavors of the ingredients.
- We pour the liquid obtained onto the pot of boiling water and let it cook until a layer of cream appears.
- Once the cream has formed, add the evaporated milk, the condensed milk, the vanilla essence and sugar to taste.
- We wait for it to come to a boil again and then turn off the heat.
- In a cup we place a splash of aniseed and add our hot drink.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and that's it.
