Mexican Mocha

This Mexican mocha recipe is cozy, chocolatey with a little kick of spiciness topped with a delicious vanilla cold foam. This is the perfect drink when you are craving a hot chocolate, but also want a caffeine boost.

Why you'll love this recipe

It's not super sweet. This recipe is perfect because you can make it two ways depending on your mood. Do you feel like drinking a Mexican hot chocolate then leave out the espresso. For that extra caffeine boost add two shots of expresso (my personal favorite) or single shot espresso to make it into a Mexican mocha coffee drink. This is the perfect coffee drink to bundle up with a blanket and sip while reading your favorite cookbooks or watching some reality tv (ok, maybe that's just only me.) BUT, really if you want a cozy indulgent chocolatey coffee drink this is the one for you.

Ingredients and tools you will need

• Espresso - add two shots of espresso for that extra caffeine boost, but a single shot works great too. Don't have an espresso machine? brew a very strong cup of coffee.
• Chocolate tablets - I use the Nestle Abuelita brand. The Mexican chocolate tablets can be found in most grocery stores Hispanic aisle section or can also be purchased online.
• Cinnamon stick or a ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon powder works great here.
• Vanilla extract - to elevate the chocolate taste and to balance the chocolate taste
• Oat milk or milk of choice - I like using oat milk but you can use favorite milk of choice.
• Cayenne powder (optional) A pinch of cayenne powder will give you that extra little spiciness
• Whipped cream or a vanilla cold foam (like in this dirty chai drink) work great here. You can make your own whipped cream or use store bought.
• Tools: molinillo or whisk works great to froth the chocolate mixture.

How to make a Mexican mocha coffee at home

For complete recipe scroll down to recipe card below.

Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat start by adding milk, a ¼ chocolate tablet, vanilla extract, cinnamon and cayenne powder (if using). Stir frequently until the chocolate tablet has dissolved and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick (if using) and froth the chocolate mixture using a molinillo, whisk, or hand frother.

Step 4: Brew espresso and pour in a mug followed by the chocolate mixture, give it a stir and top with whipped cream or vanilla cold foam (follow the steps for vanilla cold foam from this dirty chai recipe) and sprinkle chocolate shavings on top and enjoy.

Variations and swaps

Mexican chocolate tablets - I use the Nestle Abuelita brand, but if you don't have chocolate tablets on hand you can easily swap with unsweetened cocoa powder. Add one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons of cane sugar (plus more for extra sweetness) and mix with remaining ingredients until fully combined.

Whipped cream or vanilla cold foam (follow the steps on how to make vanilla cold foam from this dirty chai recipe) You can also easily make whipped cream at home using 2 tablespoons of heavy cream plus 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup and froth or whisk vigorously until you have reached a thick consistency.

Toppings - chocolate shavings or cinnamon powder on top

Craving an Iced Mexican Mocha instead? then after the chocolate mixture is done let it cool down for a few minutes and fill a tall glass with ice cubes, espresso and chocolate mixture, splash of milk and top with whipped cream or vanilla cold foam.

Try other delicious coffee drink recipes

• Café de olla
• Pumpkin cold foam brew
• Iced brown sugar shaken espresso