Rompope

Rompope—also called rompopo, rumpopo, or rum popo—is a type of eggnog made from eggs, milk, vanilla flavoring, and rum. The egg yolks give the emulsified drink its yellow color. It is a traditional beverage across Central America, Mexico, and Ecuador, most often consumed around Christmastime. In Mexico, it is thought to have originated in the convents of Puebla.

The word rompope comes from *rompón* (or *rompon*), which itself derives from the English term *rum punch*—not from a Spanish term for eggnog. That is, *rompón* is a Spanish adaptation of the English phrase, and the drink's name reflects that origin. For instance, Salcajá in Guatemala has its own known version of the drink. In South America, Chile features popular drinks like *rompón* and *cola de mono* (monkey’s tail); the latter includes coffee, which makes it dark instead of yellow, but otherwise contains the same common rompope ingredients.

Rompope is one of many variations of egg, milk, sugar, and alcohol combinations used for celebrations, especially in Mexico and the Americas. Similar drinks include Dutch advocaat, English eggnog (descended from the milk-and-sherry mix called “posset”), and American eggnog (made with rum or bourbon). Several countries have close relatives of rompope that incorporate local spirits, but in Mexico the drink became widely popular and remains mainstream. Multiple commercial brands are sold internationally.

Mexican rompope is typical of recipes that came from convents during the Colonial period, particularly from Puebla de Los Ángeles. Tradition holds that the original Mexican rompope was created in the 17th century at Puebla’s Convento de Santa Clara.

Rompope is produced commercially throughout Mexico year-round. Although branded versions are common, many locals prefer to make it at home. Additional ingredients sometimes include pecans, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, pine nuts, vanilla, strawberry, and other local items. Besides the holidays, people drink rompope at family celebrations, and it is also used in desserts or as a topping. Commercial rompope is available in the United States, especially in border states, and in some other countries alongside similar beverages.