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Mexican Spiced Mocha

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


Mexican Spiced Mocha combining coffee, hot chocolate, cinnamon, and chili powder

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 (the darker, the better!) and those overly-sweet coffeehouse drinks.

I’m the one anxiously waiting for a certain chain’s pumpkin spice lattes and red holiday cups.

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

Time to grind the beans. Time let the machine warm up. Time to steam the milk. 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. Like I mentioned, the espresso machine does take some time, and when you’re working, you don’t want to spend time making coffee. That’s where a single-serving coffee machine comes into play.

I have a bit of a coffee ritual. Plain in the morning, flavored in the afternoon.

My latest obsession is making these Mexican Spiced Mocha drinks 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 Spiced Mocha combining coffee, hot chocolate, cinnamon, and chili powder

Now that I’m back in Pittsburgh, I’m about 5-10 minutes away from several coffeehouses. It’s so tempting to just buy a coffee, but trust me – that money adds up very quickly.

On the flip side, it’s where I draw my coffee inspiration. There’s a local Pittsburgh chain that’s quickly becoming my favorite coffeehouse.

When I was reading their menu, Mexican Spice Mocha instantly jumped out at me. There’s just enough chili spice that you can taste it without setting your throat on fire.

I love it so much, I almost always order it. “Think I’ll try something new today. Just kidding. Mexican Spiced Mocha, please.”

Since I can’t buy one every day, I just make it at home.

Ok let’s talk Mexican Spiced Mochas!

Technically speaking, mochas are made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup. My version here is coffee, regular milk, and a cocoa powder mixture.

Even though this recipe isn’t a true mocha (I know way too much about coffee drinks), let’s pretend it is because it sounds much better than Mexican Spiced Chocolate Coffee drink.

The recipe I listed below is for a single drink. Also, the amount of spice really depends on your chili powder and preference.

I used Aleppo chili powder, but if yours is spicier (or milder), then you may need to play with the amount.


Mexican Spiced Mocha combining coffee, hot chocolate, cinnamon, and chili powder
Mexican Spiced Mocha

Mexican Spiced Mocha

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

Coffee meets hot chocolate in this Mexican Spiced Mocha drink recipe. The cinnamon and chili powder give it a nice kick to help 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)
  • 6 - 8 ounces (3/4 -1 cup) hot coffee
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Whipped cream, for serving**

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. Stir in milk. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

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

 

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Did you make my recipe?

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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

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