The yolixpa, also called “medicine of the heart,” is a pre-Hispanic liquor originating from the Sierra Norte of Puebla. This ancestral drink arises from the fusion of traditional herbalism used by Nahua and Totonac healers with cane spirits, introduced by the Spaniards. Have you tried it?

In recent days it has gained popularity because President Claudia Sheinbaum was gifted a bottle of yolixpa, a drink that promises to heal the heart. Discover everything about it!

You can also read: The 15 best medicinal plants in Mexico

Origin and preparation of yolixpa

Passed down from generation to generation in municipalities such as Cuetzalan and Tlatlauquitepec, the process of making yolixpa varies among producers.

The most common process includes macerating between 10 and 32 herbs —such as mint, sage, lemon balm, and wormwood—in cane spirits for periods that can reach two months. The resulting mixture, typically green (or brown if piloncillo is added), is consumed as a digestive or remedy for ailments such as indigestion, colds, or even sadness.

Yolixpa, from traditional medicine to liquor

Although it was created for medicinal purposes, today yolixpa is used for many other purposes. On one hand, it is consumed as a digestive, but on the other, it is used to flavor desserts, frappés, and much more.

Its popularity has reached such levels that a brand of this heart liquor received a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019.

See more: Medicinal plants that shouldn’t be missing from the Mexican pharmacy

Yolixpa, a very symbolic gift

Recently, yolixpa gained even more popularity as a bottle of this liquor was gifted to President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Yolixpa is much more than a drink: it is a pre-Hispanic liquor that connects tradition, health, and flavor. Besides serving as a remedy for broken hearts, it is now also recognized as a gourmet drink, ideal for any occasion. From Puebla to the world!

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