Mote con huesillos is a classic Chilean summer refreshment sold from street carts and made at home with dried peaches, sweet spiced syrup, and cooked wheat.
The peaches soak until plump, then simmer with sugar and cinnamon while the wheat cooks separately until tender and pleasantly chewy.
Chill the peaches in their syrup for several hours so the fruit absorbs flavor and the drink becomes thoroughly cold without ice.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon wheat into each glass, add one peach, and fill with cold amber syrup; serve with a long spoon.
Recipe Notes
Prepare one day ahead and refrigerate for up to four days. Store the cooked wheat separately so it stays pleasantly chewy.
Chilean Mote con Huesillos
A chilled Chilean drink of rehydrated dried peaches, cinnamon syrup, and tender cooked husked wheat.
Equipment
- Two medium saucepans
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Large covered container
- Long-handled spoons
- Six tall glasses
Ingredients
Peaches and Syrup
- 12 oz dried peaches
- 8 cups water for soaking and syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 4 strips orange peel removed with little white pith
Mote
- 1 cup dried husked wheat or wheat berries rinsed
- 6 cups water for cooking the wheat
Instructions
Soak and Simmer the Peaches:
- Put the dried peaches in a covered container with the 8 cups water. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Transfer the peaches and soaking water to a saucepan. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and orange peel. Simmer gently for 30 to 35 minutes until the peaches are plump and tender. Cool, then refrigerate in the syrup.
Cook the Mote:
- Bring the wheat and 6 cups water to a boil. Reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 35 to 50 minutes until tender but still chewy.
- Drain, rinse briefly under cool water, and refrigerate in a covered container.
Assemble:
- Divide the cold wheat among six tall glasses. Add one or two peaches to each glass.
- Fill with chilled syrup and serve immediately with long spoons.
Notes
- If using pre-cooked packaged mote, rinse it and follow the package heating directions, then chill.
- Adjust the syrup with cold water if it tastes too concentrated after chilling.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSodium: 15mgFiber: 8gSugar: 48g