Queimada is a hot alcoholic punch traditional to Galicia, Spain. Made primarily from orujo with lemon peel, sugar, and coffee beans, it is typically prepared with a strength of over 40% alcohol before burning.
How it is made
Queimada is prepared by pouring orujo into a ceramic bowl and adding lemon peel, sugar, unroasted coffee beans, and sometimes apple and cinnamon. The mixture is set alight, burning until it turns blue or naturally extinguishes. This process reduces the alcohol content significantly while creating a sweet-spicy flavor with coffee aroma.
History
Queimada is a Galician national drink, though its exact origins are unclear. Some theories suggest Celtic origins, but historical evidence points to a medieval or later development, coinciding with the Arab introduction of distillation techniques to the Iberian Peninsula. Traditionally linked to folk healing practices, it remains an important element of Galician cultural identity.
How it is served
Queimada is served warm immediately after preparation, ladled from the bowl into small ceramic cups. Traditionally prepared outdoors in the evening or night, the making of queimada is accompanied by folk-mystical rituals. The person preparing the drink often reads incantations in Galician to ward off evil spirits, sometimes accompanied by traditional music played on the gaita, a local type of bagpipe.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Кеймада (напиток), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.