Madeira's most famous drink
Poncha
Poncha is Madeira in a glass: aguardente de cana (sugarcane rum) beaten with honey and fresh citrus until it turns smooth, golden and dangerously easy to drink. It began as a fishermen's drink — a little rum, honey and lemon to warm up before heading out to sea — and it never left the island's bars.
At Sabores da Andreia we mix it fresh at the bar — the classic lemon and honey, or passion fruit when it's in season. It's what the locals drink, and it goes down very well with the football on the screen.
Mixed fresh at the bar
What is poncha?
Three ingredients, one ritual: sugarcane rum, honey and lemon juice, beaten together with a wooden 'mexelote' (caralhinho) until the honey dissolves completely. No shaker, no ice in the traditional version — just muscle and rhythm.
A fishermen's drink
Poncha comes from Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village west of Funchal, where fishermen drank it before long nights at sea. It's now protected as part of Madeira's cultural heritage — and still the drink locals order first.
How we serve it
The classic lemon and honey, or maracujá (passion fruit) — Madeira's favourite twist. Ask at the bar and we'll tell you what's fresh. Fair warning: it's stronger than it tastes.
Try it in Caniço
Estrada José Avelino Pinto, Ed. Vip IV 64G, 9125-024 Caniço, Madeira Island. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11:30–23:00 (kitchen 12:00–21:30), Monday until 17:00, closed Sundays.