Sweet and Spicy: Mexican Coffee
Maryna Gray
• May 03, 2021
Want to spice up your coffee (literally)? Try Mexican coffee! Commonly known as Café de Olla ("pot coffee") in Mexico, this coffee is easy to make at home (and we've included our favorite recipes below), but you can also buy Mexican-inspired coffee, too.
What Is Mexican Coffee?
If you've never had Mexican coffee, let us introduce you to this delightfully sweet and spicy treat in a cup. In Mexico, coffee is often brewed with cinnamon sticks (which give it just the right amount of spice) and sugar—specifically piloncillo, which is unrefined whole cane sugar. You can also add orange peel for garnish.
Mexican Coffee Recipe
Want to make Mexican coffee at home? It's easy! Maggie Unzueta, a first-generation Mexican-American who writes about culture and cuisine on her blog, In Mama Maggie's Kitchen, shared her go-to Mexican coffee recipe with us.
- 8 cups water
- 1 5-ounce piloncillo cone or 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 3 to 4 whole cloves (optional)
- 1/2 cup freshly ground coffee
Instructions
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Combine water, piloncillo, cinnamon, and cloves in a stock pot.
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Bring to boil over high heat, breaking up the piloncillo to help dissolve.
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Remove from heat.
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Let sit for 5 minutes.
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Add coffee.
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Steep for 5 minutes.
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Strain through a fine strainer.
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Pour the coffee into cups.
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Enjoy!
Mexican Coffee Drinks
Of course, there are several Mexican coffee recipes, many of which include some form of alcohol. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Food Network's Mexican Coffee: This variation uses tequila, Kahlua (or any coffee liqueur, vanilla ice cream AND cherries on top.
- Joan's Mexican Coffee (Food 52): This recipe calls for chocolate WITH almonds in it and a splash of heavy cream.
- Everyday Dishes: Caramel and hot fudge are optional (but also a must) for this Mexican coffee cocktail.
Mexican Coffee Brands
Check out our current selection of Mexican coffee roasts:
- Organic Mexico El Triunfo by Batdorf and Bronson
- Mexico Santa Maria Yucuhiti by Dapper and Wise Coffee Roasters
- Mexico Santa Fe Organic by Seven Coffee Roasters
- El Capitan Latin Blend by Bluebeard Coffee Roasters
- Mexico Nayarita by Velton's Coffee Roasting Company
Get Your VIP Pass: Try four coffees hand-picked by a world-class judge!
We want to help you make better coffee at home. Our recommendations are our own, and never sponsored. If you see something you love and buy it through our links, we may receive an affiliate commission (thanks for that!).
