Pox
Pox (pronounced posh) is a ceremonial, corn-based Mexican drink that originated among the Tzotzil Maya in Chiapas. Originally fermented and made with corn, pox is nowadays often distilled and includes wheat, sugar cane, and because of its unregulated status, possibly some other additions.
Since the production is not controlled, there are many pox variations, but it is usually potent, subtly sweet, and lightly smoky. It can be distilled once or twice, and it also comes in flavored versions. The drink has a long and vague history, but it was allegedly one of the symbols of resistance during the Spanish colonization.
It was rarely seen outside Chiapas, and it was mostly used during religious ceremonies. The first commercially-sold examples started to appear in the 2000s in San Cristobal de las Casas, and in 2012, the government allowed its sales outside its native region. Read more
Pox soon began to pop out on the restaurant and bar menus, and it caused the appearance of specialty pox shops, known as posherias. However, pox is still rare and mostly available in Mexico. The character of this indigenous spirit can vary, but the drink is traditionally enjoyed neat, sometimes accompanied by garnishes such as coffee-dusted oranges or jicama.
It can also work well as a cocktail ingredient.
