Mote con Huesillo – Chile’s Classic Summer Drink-Dessert

What Is Mote con Huesillo?

Mote con Huesillo is Chile’s most iconic summer drink-dessert—somewhere between a beverage and a light treat. It combines mote (husked wheat) with rehydrated huesillos (dried peaches) in a golden syrup (almíbar) flavored with cinnamon, orange peel, and chancaca. Served ice-cold, it’s the ultimate taste of Chilean summer.

Ingredients

For the Syrup (Almíbar)

• 6–8 dried peaches (huesillos) — rinse and soak overnight
• 1 cup chancaca (raw cane sugar)
• 6 cups water (plus more for soaking)
• 1–2 cinnamon sticks
• Optional: peel of 1 orange and 1–2 whole cloves

For the Mote

• 1 cup mote (husked wheat)
• Plenty of water for cooking + a pinch of salt (optional)

Directions

1. Soak the peaches: Rinse huesillos well. Cover with cold water and soak overnight (8–12 hours) until soft and plump. Reserve the soaking liquid.
2. Cook the mote: Rinse the mote. In a large pot, boil in plenty of water until tender but chewy (about 40 minutes). Drain, rinse under cold water, and chill.
3. Make the syrup: In a pot, combine the reserved soaking liquid (strained) with enough water to reach 6 cups. Add chancaca, cinnamon sticks, orange peel, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then simmer 12–15 minutes until fragrant and lightly syrupy.
4. Simmer the peaches: Add the soaked huesillos to the syrup and simmer 8–10 minutes more. Remove from heat and chill completely (at least 2 hours).
5. Assemble and serve: In tall glasses, add a few spoonfuls of chilled mote, pour over the cold syrup, and top with 1–2 peaches. Serve with a spoon and straw.

Tips & Variations

• Sweetness: Adjust to taste—traditional versions are quite sweet.
• Cleaner syrup: Strain the soaking liquid for a clear finish before simmering.
• Orange peel: Adds brightness; remove before chilling.
• Make ahead: Chill at least 2 hours before serving; lasts 3–4 days refrigerated.

Bring the Taste of Chile Home

Find everything you need for this traditional drink-dessert—mote, huesillos, and chancaca—at ChinChile Products. Or save time with our Mote con Huesillo Bundle for an easy start.

Have Questions?

Need help sourcing ingredients or want more traditional Chilean recipes? We’d love to help. Reach out and tell us what you’d like to see next.

Last updated: November 9, 2025