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Mexican Mocha

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Coffee meets hot chocolate in this Mexican Mocha recipe! The cinnamon and chili powder give your spicy coffee a nice kick to wake you up when you need it the most.


Mexican Mocha in a white mug on a red plate

Hi, my name is Carla and I’m addicted to coffee.

Every single morning I have a cup. Some afternoons I have a second cup.

I’m addicted to coffee houses and expensive specialty drinks. I’m addicted to coffee beans and that beautiful coffee aroma.

I’m a coffee snob addicted to lattes and mochas.

Coffee plays a huge role in my life. Meeting a friend? Let’s meet for coffee. Traveling on the Turnpike? Better grab a coffee for the drive. Having a bad day? Coffee will fix that.

I love both the taste of coffee and those specialty coffeehouse drinks like Smores Mocha.

It’s also a little embarrassing about how much money I spend on coffee. I’ve invested in a Chemex and a bean grinder, which totally helps, but it also takes time.

Time to grind the beans. Time to warm up the water. Time to fold the filter. Time to clean up.

And although under normal circumstances this makes me sound like I’m a lazy whiner, have you ever made coffee before you were awake? There are times where I need coffee to make coffee.

I have tried to make coffee without water before. Other times without putting the filter in place. My favorite was without the coffee pot. I really do need coffee to function.

Then there are those days where I need an extra cup in the afternoon. Although I prefer plain in the morning, I usually drink flavored in the afternoon.

My latest obsession is making a Mexican Mocha at home. Coffee meets hot chocolate with a bit of spice from cinnamon and chili powder.

Yes, chili powder. It sounds crazy, but I promise it’s crazy good.


Mexican Mocha in a white mug on a red plate

What is a mocha?

Technically speaking, mocha ingredients are espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, although some coffee shops may opt to use cocoa powder instead.

My Mexican mocha recipe is coffee, regular not-steamed milk, and a cocoa powder mixture.

Even though this spicy coffee isn’t a true mocha, let’s pretend it is because it sounds much better than Mexican Spiced Chocolate Coffee drink.

What makes a Mexican mocha?

You’re probably wondering what makes this recipe a Mexican mocha.

Often Mexican coffee contains cinnamon and chili powder. Although not all Mexican spiced recipes contain chili powder.

“Chili powder?! In coffee?!” You say.

Don’t be alarmed! This drink isn’t meant to be spicy like my Buffalo chicken wings recipe.

The heat is subtle, a little throat tingling if you will. I personally love it, but if you’re still not a fan you can leave out the chili powder.

Can’t get enough Mexican spice? Check out my Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookies and Mexican Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies.


Mexican Mocha in a white mug on a red plate

Ingredients for Mexican Mochas

To make your Mexican coffee with cinnamon and chili powder, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Powdered sugar: Balances the unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Cocoa powder: Adds chocolate flavor without being overly sweet like most syrups.
  • Cinnamon: Mexican coffee often has cinnamon in it.
  • Chili powder: I used Aleppo chili powder, but if yours is spicier (or milder), then you may need to play with the amount.
  • Coffee: Make your coffee any way you want. I personally make pour over coffee, but you can use drip coffee or even a single serve cup machine.
  • Milk: Any type of milk will work. I personally used whole milk.
  • Whipped cream: Not necessary, but for a special treat serve your spicy mocha with homemade whipped cream on top.

How To Make Mexican Mocha

Making your Mexican mochas is super easy!

First, mix together your powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and chili powder. Add this to the bottom of your coffee mug.

Next, add your hot coffee and stir until dissolved. Then add your milk.

If desired, top with whipped cream and more cinnamon.

Can you make Mexican Mochas ahead of time?

Yes! Sorta.

As you can see, my Mexican mocha recipe makes a single serving.

However, you can make a large batch of the spicy cocoa mix ahead of time then add a few tablespoons each time you make coffee.

You can even add the cocoa mix to Hot Chocolate For One to make a spicy hot chocolate without coffee.

More Hot Drink Recipes

Loved your Mexican mocha? Check out these other recipes for hot chocolate and coffee:

Mexican Mocha

Mexican Mocha

Yield: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Coffee meets hot chocolate in this Mexican Mocha recipe. The cinnamon and chili powder give your spicy coffee a nice kick to wake you up when you need it the most.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (depends on spice level)
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) hot coffee
  • 1/4 cup milk, any preference
  • Whipped cream, for serving (homemade or store bought)

Instructions

  1. In the bottom of a coffee mug, stir together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and chili powder.
  2. Pour in hot coffee and stir until dissolved then stir in milk. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

Notes

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes All recipes are tested in a U.S. kitchen with U.S. ingredients at normal elevation using a conventional gas oven. Results may vary.

© Carla Cardello
Cuisine: American / Category: Drinks

Originally published November 24, 2014

Did you make my recipe?

Please let me know by sharing a photo in my private Facebook group or uploading and tagging me on Instagram using #HITKrecipes (Note: If your Instagram account is private, I won't be able to see your photo)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. TidyMom says

    I’ve had hot cocoa with chili powder, but the coffee addict LOVES the addition of coffee to it!! I’m SO going to try this soon!!

    I love having single serve coffee machines at home, because I get a fresh cup of coffee every time. A REAL coffee drinker needs coffee as soon as they get up………those who wait until they leave the house are amateurs lol ;)

    Reply

  4. cheryl illinois says

    If you can’t make coffee until you have had coffee get a programmable coffee maker and set it up the evening before to come on just about 15 minutes before you generally get up.I also like strong coffee. It must be a Burgh thing and Gevalia is my favorite.

    Reply

  12. Susan says

    Wow, this hit the spot especially the kick of the spice. I’ve been trying to find a good recipe for Cinnamon Mocha Cappuccino mix for a long time, but each was bad, needed special machines, contained a lot of preservatives or involved a stove. I wanted easy and this fits the bill. I used Chipotle powder, coconut sugar and half and half, because that’s what I had. It was still incredible and gave me the afternoon pick-me-up and chocolate treat all in one. Thank you so much.

    Reply

    • Carla says

      Glad you enjoyed the recipe! That is what’s nice about this recipe – you can make little adjustments like you did to customize it for your taste (and also what you have on hand).

      Reply

  14. Glory says

    My grocery store bought chili powder is made of garlic and other spices in addition to the pepper. I am assuming yours is straight Pepper with no other additives?

    Reply

  15. Arpita Patel says

    Oh yeah! Found you Hot Choc via pinterest and you are so right. Parisian Hot Chocolate is so different to others. Ok here in germany we’ll get simply the same thik chocolate and I absolutely adore it. But Angelina and Laduree add a bit of water and cook the chocolate until its a viscid texture :)

    Reply

  17. Susan says

    Delicious! Here in New Mexico, we love our chili spiced cafe latte, and your recipe hits all the right notes. I used your sugar, cocoa and spice mixture with two shots of espresso and five ounces of steamed whole milk. Skipped the whipped cream. A very nice Mexican Latte.

    Reply

  18. Patricia Dorwin says

    Excellent. Used this recipe for my second cup of morning coffee. I make 24 ounces of French Press coffee, drink the first cup black, and save the second cup in a Yeti vacuum. I used the 1/8 tsp of chili powder. Next time will use 1/4 tsp. I make my hot chocolate mix with cayenne pepper so I am used to spicy. I’ve tried many of your recipes as I live alone but have not commented in the past. I have enjoyed them all and look forward to your emails.

    Reply

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