What does “piquete” mean in Mexico?
- Leslye Aguayo
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
If you are in Mexico during the Christmas season, you will probably hear phrases like “¿Quieres ponche con piquete?” or “Vamos a hacer un brindis”. For many Spanish learners, these expressions can be confusing at first. However, understanding them helps you improve your vocabulary and connect more deeply with Mexican culture.
In this post, you will learn what the word “piquete” means, how it is used during Christmas, and what people really mean when they say “vamos a hacer un brindis”.
Cultural context: Christmas, punch, and gatherings in Mexico
Christmas in Mexico is all about family gatherings, posadas, warm food, and traditional drinks. One of the most popular is ponche navideño, a hot fruit punch made with guava, crab apples (tejocote), apple, cinnamon, and sugar.
During these gatherings, people often make a toast to celebrate, give thanks, or share good wishes.
What does “piquete” mean?
In Mexico, the word “piquete” has different meanings depending on the context. Literally, it can mean a small sting or puncture. However, during the Christmas season, it has a very different meaning.
When someone says “ponche con piquete”, they mean that the drink contains alcohol, usually rum, brandy, or tequila. Mexican Christmas ponche is a hot fruit punch made with guava, apple, sugar cane, and cinnamon. When alcohol is added, people say it has piquete.
Practical Examples
1. “Ponche with or without piquete?”
At Christmas parties in Mexico, this is a very common question.
Example:
—Do you want ponche?
—Yes, but without piquete, please.
—Perfect, this one is just fruit.
2. “This ponche has piquete”
When ponche has alcohol, the flavor is stronger.
Example:
—This ponche is really good.
—Yes… be careful, it has piquete.
👉 Vocabulary tip: Here, piquete = alcohol
3. A fun real-life moment
Example:
—Who wants ponche with piquete?
—Me!
—And you?
—Better without piquete… I work tomorrow.
👉 Cultural insight: Mexican Spanish is social and playful. Tone and context matter a lot.
Another common expression you will hear at Christmas parties is “vamos a hacer un brindis”. This means that people raise their glasses to say a few words and celebrate something special, such as Christmas, the New Year, or friendship. In English, this expression means “Let’s make a toast.”
A toast is usually short and includes good wishes, gratitude, or positive messages. It is an important moment because it brings people together and reflects the strong sense of community in Mexican culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, during Christmas in Mexico, “piquete” has nothing to do with a sting. Instead, it refers to alcohol in a traditional drink like ponche. Likewise, “hacer un brindis” is a meaningful way to celebrate and share good wishes.
Learning these expressions will help you understand real Mexican Spanish and feel more comfortable in social situations. Language and culture are closely connected, and these phrases are a perfect example of that connection.
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