Today, we’re bringing you one of our favorite drinks—a delightful fusion of Mexican coffee and Mexican hot chocolate, which we’ve dubbed Spiced Mexican Mocha. With simple ingredients like cinnamon, coffee, and chocolate, this cozy beverage is the perfect treat for a little indulgence or a relaxing family gathering.
Before we get into the recipe, if you’re a coffee fan like me, you might want to try our cold brew concentrate for warmer days, or whip up some homemade coffee syrups for a quick flavor boost!
You all know I’m a coffee lover. Coffee is life. Morning, mid-morning, stressed, happy—there’s always a good reason to have a cup. (Though let’s be honest, I usually stop at 1-2 cups a day—because sleep is important too, right?)
During the holiday season, particularly, my entire family takes time out the day to sit down and make a pot of coffee. It’s the perfect way, we think, to finish out a long day or perhaps start the day. A shot of kahlua in a cup of coffee makes for a festive breakfast, don’t you think :).
This Spiced Mexican Mocha combines the best of two beloved Mexican drinks: the warm, spicy goodness of traditional Café de Olla and the rich, chocolaty warmth of Mexican Hot Chocolate. It’s like they got together for a coffee date and created this masterpiece!
The Traditional Drinks We Mixed Together
Café de Olla – Traditional Mexican Coffee
Café de Olla is a rustic, traditional Mexican coffee, usually brewed in a clay pot (olla) that gives it a special earthy flavor. The key ingredients include:
- Ground Coffee: Often medium-dark roasted, it’s simmered in water rather than pre-brewed.
- Piloncillo: Unrefined cane sugar, which adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness.
- Cinnamon Sticks: These are steeped in the coffee, lending a warm spice to every sip.
- Sometimes, cloves or orange peel are added for extra depth.
Café de Olla is strong, sweet, and fragrant—perfect for slow mornings or after a big meal.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
This drink is pure comfort in a cup. Made with rich, spiced chocolate, it’s a cozy treat traditionally served with churros or sweet bread. The essential components are:
- Mexican Chocolate: Specially made with cacao, sugar, and cinnamon, this chocolate is more rustic than what you might find in regular bars.
- Cinnamon: Like Café de Olla, cinnamon plays a starring role here.
- Milk or Water: Mexican hot chocolate can be prepared with milk for extra creaminess, but water is sometimes used for a lighter option.
Stirring these ingredients together, often with a traditional wooden whisk (molinillo), creates a frothy, rich drink that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredient List for Spiced Mexican Mocha:
- Brewed Hot Coffee: I like to use dark roast coffee for this recipe because its bold flavor pairs well with the sweetness of the chocolate and brown sugar.
If you can, use whole beans and grind them fresh right before brewing—this gives the coffee a richer, more robust taste. But if you’re in a pinch, any brewed coffee will work.
Want an extra kick? Try using cold brew concentrate for a stronger coffee flavor!
- Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar is ideal here because it has more molasses, giving the mocha a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the coffee and chocolate.
If you only have light brown or even white sugar on hand, don’t worry, you can still use them.
For a more authentic taste, try piloncillo, a type of unrefined Mexican cane sugar, if you can find it.
- Chocolate: Chopped chocolate bars (preferably dark or semi-sweet) are my go-to because they melt beautifully into the coffee.
If you don’t have bars, chocolate syrup works in a pinch, but won’t give you that rich, slightly bitter flavor that makes the drink special. Mexican chocolate, which contains cinnamon and sometimes chili, is the traditional choice for Mexican hot chocolate.
You can usually find it at a Mexican grocery store—keep a stash during the colder months to add a fun twist to your coffee or to snack on when no one’s looking!
- Cinnamon Sticks: Simmering cinnamon sticks in the coffee not only releases their warm, spicy flavor but also adds an extra layer of coziness to the drink.
Ground cinnamon could be a backup option, but it won’t have the same depth or visual appeal when garnishing.
After brewing, use the sticks as a fun and aromatic garnish.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream takes this drink to dessert-like levels of indulgence.
If you want a lighter version, you can skip this, but trust me, the whipped cream melts into the coffee and chocolate, making the whole drink creamy and luxurious.
For an extra treat, you can even sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top.
How to make Spiced Mexican Mocha:
- In a small saucepan, stir together the brewed coffee, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and chopped chocolate.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and stir.
- Pour into two mugs and top with fresh whipped cream.
Tips for the Perfect Spiced Mexican Mocha:
- For an adult twist, add a splash of tequila or coffee liqueur like Kahlúa.
- A sprinkle of chili powder adds a little heat if you’re feeling adventurous.
- For a bolder kick: Try adding a small slice of fresh red chili pepper to the simmering coffee mixture. The heat from the chili complements the sweetness of the chocolate and cinnamon, adding an extra layer of flavor that’s not overpowering but gives it a delicious kick.
- Want to cool things down? Strain the coffee mixture into a mason jar, refrigerate, and serve over ice for a refreshing iced mocha.
Spiced Mexican Mocha
Ingredients
- 2 cups brewed coffee
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 oz chopped dark chocolate
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- whipped cream
Instructions
- In a small saucepan add the brewed coffee, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and chopped chocolate.
- Bring to a gentle boil, turn the heat down to simmer.
- Simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and stir.
- Pour into 2 coffee mugs and top with a bit of fresh whipping cream.
Notes
Nutrition
There’s still a lot of debate about what the best coffee brewing method is. We think it’s a matter of preference, so we’ve created a pro/con list of several types (french press, traditional brewer, etc.) so you can get a better idea about which method you might prefer for yourself.
If you make this drink, you’ll want something to go with it. We recommend our chocolate cake. It isn’t like every other chocolate cake. We absolutely promise.
Or our uber popular Berry Monkey Bread. Yeah, pick that. That’s a winner and oh so easy to make!
I love the way that it is spicy!
Do so!! Such a great way to sit and relax!
Really want to try this for a special Saturday /Sunday brunch!
I make this recipe but mine also has fudge topping in it. Umm hmmm…. and I love it.
This looks like heaven! Ahhhh! I want to eat my computer screen looking at those pics. Thanks, Bellie!