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You are here: Home » Recipes » Drinks

Mexican Atole (White Atole with Milk)

Published: Nov 6, 2014 · Updated: Nov 12, 2022 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

Mexican Atole | White Atole with Milk (pronounced ah-TOH-leh) is a warm, comforting, delightful drink perfect for the cold season. This recipe is one of the most traditional recipes for White Corn Atole,  made with a few simple ingredients. Perfect for enjoying with a Concha or crunchy Churros during the winter and around the holidays. 

White Atole with Milk | Atole Blanco con Leche

Prepare this creamy Mexican Atole | White Atole with Milk with corn, water, masa harina, and a sweetener. Traditionally sweetened with Piloncillo, sugar, or honey can be made with or without milk. The variety of flavors is almost endless, from fruit like Pineapple   Tamarind, Guava, and Blackberry, to oatmeal, rice, and sweet potatoes. Enjoy your warm drink with your favorite pan de dulce or cookies as an afternoon snack. 

White Atole with Milk | Ingredients

The origin of the Mexican Atole drink

Atole is also known as “atolli”, “atl’” and “atol de elote”. Atole comes from the word “atolli in nahuatl meaning “watery” and goes back to ten thousand years with the nixtamalization of corn. The first records of the atole drink are from the conquistador Hernan Cortez's letters of relation. Cortez redacts one of the local's favorite drinks in the notes made with corn, water, honey, and chiles. In his letters, he describes the drink as a refreshing drink favored by the low-income class.

Milk was added over time to the warm beverage, becoming the creamy texture we know today. Depending on the country's area, you find variations in the ingredients. For example, some prefer the taste of a cinnamon stick over ground cinnamon or the addition of vanilla extract to the mixture.

Difference between atole and champurrado

Two traditional drinks consumed during the cold season are present at Christmas parties and posadas. Mexican Atole has a variety of flavors and spices in comparison with Champurrado, that's is only chocolate flavor.

How to make Mexican Atole |Atole Blanco con Leche

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients:

  • Whole milk
  • Sugar
  • Corn flour masa-harina
  •  Water

Atole blanco with Milk | Cook all your favorite dishes

DIRECTIONS:

  • Mix: Milk and sugar in a saucepan, turn the heat to medium, and simmer. 
  • Cornflour mixture: Mix the corn flour and ¾ cup of water in a small bowl. Make sure to stir well to avoid any lumps.


Atole blanco with Milk | I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe

  • Bring all together: bring the milk and sugar to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and slowly add the corn flour mixture.
  • Stir: When the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and keep stirring until thickened ( about 5 minutes.)
Atole blanco with Milk | step by step instructions with photos of the process
  • Pour: Make sure to let your Mexican atole cool down in your mugs before sipping. It usually maintains the heat for a long time.
Atole blanco with Milk | Mexican Recipes

The above picture shows the atole already thickened. Please be very careful before drinking it, it’s very hot! The thickness of the drink helps it maintain its heat for a long time.

¡Buen provecho!

Mely,

Notes:  

  • You can use whole milk or almond milk, or soy milk as a substitution if you have a dairy allergy. 
  • In addition to sugar, brown sugar or unrefined cane sugar are excellent alternatives.  
  • For vegan atole simply make the atole without milk, substituting the milk quantity for water.

More Mexican Atole recipes:

If you are looking for more flavorful atoles, try the citrusy  Pineapple or Tamarind. For a fruity flavor, give Guava and  Blackberry a try; I know you would love them. 

For recipes, please click HERE.

Great recipes to pair with Atole : 

Now that you have your hot drink, an ideal companion will be Mexican Conchas. If Conchas is not your choice, try the Mexican Muffins, another exquisite sweet bread. But if you are looking for a crunchy and sweet companion to your Atole, try the Churros. Visit Us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. 

Don't forget to subscribe to receive the next recipe via email.

Para recetas en español:

Aprende a preparar Atole Blanco o el deliciosos Atole de Zarzamora con fáciles instrucciones y fotos paso a paso. Para recetas buscanos en las redes sociales de Facebook, Instagram y Pinterest. 

📖 Recipe

White Atole Recipe

Mexican Atole| Atole Blanco con Leche

Mely Martínez
This Mexican Atole recipe is one of the most traditional recipes for White Corn Atole,  made with a few simple ingredients. Perfect for enjoying with a concha or a crunchy churro during the winter and around the holidays.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 17 minutes mins
0 minutes mins
Total Time 22 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 cups
Calories 259 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups whole milk*
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons corn flour masa-harina
  • ¾ cups water

Instructions
 

  • Mix: Milk and sugar in a saucepan, turn the heat to medium, and simmer.
  • Cornflour mixture: Mix the corn flour and ¾ cup of water in a small bowl. Make sure to stir well to avoid any lumps.
  • Bring all together: bring the milk and sugar to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and slowly add the corn flour mixture.
  • Stir: When the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and keep stirring until thickened ( about 5 minutes.)
  • Pour: Make sure to let your atole cool down in your mugs before sipping. It usually maintains the heat for a long time. 

Notes

  • You can use whole milk or almond milk, or soy milk as a substitution if you have a dairy allergy. 
  • In addition to sugar, brown sugar or unrefined cane sugar are excellent alternatives.  
  • For vegan atole simply make the atole without milk, substituting the milk quantity for water.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 108mgPotassium: 323mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 395IUCalcium: 277mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Mexican Drinks

  • Agua de tamarindo (Tamarind drink) served in a glass with ice.
    Agua de Tamarindo
  • spicy beer Michelada recipe
    Basic Michelada Cocktail
  • rice drink horchata
    Authentic Mexican Horchata (Homemade Rice Drink)
  • Guava guayaba Drink
    Guava Agua Fresca Drink

Reader Interactions

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  1. Veronica

    July 20, 2022 at 6:31 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!

    I was feeling a little under the weather and thought it would be great to try atole. I remember my grandma making something like it when I was a kid. It really hit the spot. Can't wait to try some other versions.

    Reply
  2. Esther

    November 12, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    I never realized how simple this is to make. I've always used the packaged mix, especially the chocolate flavor. Plan to make this soon!

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      November 12, 2018 at 2:41 pm

      Hello Esther,
      I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  3. Victoria

    September 02, 2017 at 5:18 am

    I like to keep my Atole simple. Add a dash cinnamon or throw in a cinnamon stick while cooking and I'm happy. Thank you for all your amazing recipes.

    Reply
    • Helen Wilson

      April 22, 2020 at 4:44 am

      My grandmother made it with cinnamon. It's one of my favorite childhood memories

      Reply
  4. Laura De León

    November 17, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    This looks delicious! Wish I had some right now.:) I just found you and your wonderful blog today and I'm so excited. Your recipes all look divine. I cannot wait to try your enchiladas and your mole. Now this! Nice to meet you.:)

    Reply
  5. Jesusan

    November 07, 2014 at 12:31 am

    Now that the temps have cooled way down, this sounds like a nice way to start my day. I'll look forward to trying something new.

    Reply
  6. Catherine

    November 06, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    I love learning different traditions and this sounds comforting and good. Catherine

    Reply

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About me

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.
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