This Mexican spiced coffee, better known as Cafe de Olla, is made with Mexican ground coffee, cinnamon, and raw dark sugar that we call "Piloncillo". This is a traditional Mexican drink recipe that has been enjoyed by many generations!
There’s one thing that you would always find in my grandma’s kitchen right next to the woodstove: the large enamel blue pot with coffee, no matter the time of day or the season of the year.
In This Post
You will always find coffee.
Why? I don’t know, but that old pot was there for as long as I can remember, and it would always welcome the visitors with a warm cup of coffee.
Those times are long gone but the memories are still there, especially on a cold day when a good cup of coffee from México with cinnamon and piloncillo will warm you up.
I especially love making this coffee when we go camping. The firewood smoke gives an extra flavor to the coffee like the one sold in some of the Mexican small-town road restaurants!
Frequently Asked Questions About Café de Olla
Before I share my coffee recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked about this Café de Olla.
What does cafe de olla mean?
Cafe de Olla literally means "pot coffee" or "coffee from a pot". This is because it was traditionally made in a large clay pot or an enamel pot. It is still made that way in some areas.
Where do you find Café de Olla o Café de la Olla?
You can find this popular drink in Mexico in places like roadside eateries, small mom & pop diners, as well as in restaurants that sell Traditional Mexican food. People also make it at home, especially during wintertime. It is also served at the Christmas Celebrations (Posadas), and even it is served at some funerals.
What does cafe de olla taste like?
This Mexican spiced coffee is actually sweet, with a hint of spice from the cinnamon. The primary ingredients added to the coffee are cinnamon and piloncillo (a dark sugar with a taste that resembles molasses). Less commonly, some people might also add orange peel and star anise.
Is Mexican coffee strong?
I've found that coffee from Mexico typically has the strength of a medium to dark roast. The two most popular varieties of coffee in Mexico are the Planchuela and Caracolillo varieties. When using these types of coffee to make Café de Olla, the addition of cinnamon and piloncillo will help to balance out the flavors.
Can I add milk?
You can, but it honestly takes away from café de olla and you really don't need it. If you are looking to enjoy a cup of coffee with milk, then I recommend trying my recipe for cafe con leche instead.
Café de Olla Recipe
Here is a list of ingredients you will need:
- Water
- Piloncillo/panela (dark brown sugar)
- Mexican cinnamon stick
- Ground coffee (it would be better if you could get a dark Mexican coffee)
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
How To Make Café de Olla: Step By Step Tutorial
To make things easier for you, I am going to breakdown the directions to this recipe step by step.
- In a medium saucepan, place the water, cinnamon, and piloncillo.
- Turn the heat down and simmer until the piloncillo is dissolved.
- When the water starts boiling, add the coffee, turn the heat off and stir.
- Cover the pot and let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour through a strainer to serve.
- If you would like to add some spirits, a Coffee Liqueur-like Kahlúa is a good choice!
What To Serve With Café de Olla
Depending on what time of the day you are drinking this Mexican coffee, there are a few options as to what to eat alongside this cafe de olla.
If you decide to have a mug early in the morning, I prefer to enjoy it with some:
If I have a cup in the evening, say for dessert (with a shot of Kahlua), some of my go-to desserts to serve with it are:
- Traditional Mexican conchas
- Mexican polvorones (Sevillanos-style)
- Homemade churros dusted with sugar and cinnamon
More Mexican Drinks To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe for cafe de olla, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican drink recipes:
- Café con Leche
- Sweet Corn Atole
- Lechitas Frías
- Mango Agua Fresca Recipe
- Agua De Chaya With Pineapple and Orange
I hope you make this recipe for cafe de olla! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it! You can also check our recipe in Spanish.
📖 Recipe
Café de Olla Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 3 oz. Piloncillo/Panela or dark brown sugar about ⅓ cup
- ½ a stick of Mexican Cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons of ground Coffee it would be better if you could get a Dark Mexican Coffee.
Instructions
- In a Medium saucepan, place the water, cinnamon, and Piloncillo (or brown sugar). Turn heat and simmer until the piloncillo is dissolved. About7 minutes.
- When the water starts boiling, add the coffee, turn the heat off and stir.
- Cover the pot and let steep for 5 minutes. Pour through a strainer to serve.
If you would like to add some spirits, a Coffee Liqueur-like Kahlúa is a good choice.
Video
Notes
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nelda elaine
love it love it thank you for sharing nelda elaine
Karina
Hello,
How fine should I grind the coffee compared to more common brewing methods; like French press or pour over?
Mely Martínez
Hello Karina,
Medium grind, similar as the one used for Machine Drip Coffee Pots.
Ralph
Thanks
John
I found a Cafe Olé brand (Rio Grande Especial) that has "cinnamon and a hint of orange". If you don't mind sacrificing a bit of taste and authenticity for speed and ease, try something like that in a French press or coffee machine. Then just add the Piloncillo (or brown sugar in pinch).
Sally Flores
Hi! My name is Sally. I just wanted too know what kind of coffee do you use to make the cafe De La Olla
Mely Martínez
Hello Sally,
I bring my coffee from Mexico, however, when I run out of it I usually buy a dark roasted coffee.
Alicia
Hi, I just tried cafe de olla from a vendor at our local farmers market today - it was so delicious and warming (especially because it's a cold, rainy day here)! I know you mentioned some people might add anise or orange, but I really thought I tasted a little cardamom in this, not sure if that is likely. I'll have to ask next week. 🙂
My question is this: you mentioned that your grandma always had a pot of cafe de olla throughout the day. Is this something that you could make a larger amount of and then keep on a really low heat to enjoy all through the day? Do you have any suggestions or techniques for that? Thanks so much!
Mely Martínez
Hello Alicia,
The pot use to be nearby the stove to keep it warm. If you leave on a low heat it could get bitter.
Azucena
It was great, just as I know and like. You can always make it sweeter or lessen it. Very Happy and Satisfied.
Lyla
This recipe was so easy and tastes so delicious! I was very pleasantly surprised by the sweetness and the cinnamon flavor. I love this wonderful, homey drink. I hope my friends at the party tonight do as well.
Oktavious
Thank you, will be making some this Sunday but I need to buy some "Conchas" as well,,
Toni Lipson
This recipe is easy and fantastic! Yum 😋
Bil King
Hi!
How do you season the olla before using it?
Does it need to be heated with a gas stove before you can use it?
Thank you!
Mely Martínez
Hello Bil King, If you are talking about the clay pot to make coffee, you need to cure it. Here is a video I make some time ago:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeHbfUo9NCQ&t=1s\\ I hope it can be of help.
Lilly
just made this today on a windy and cool afternoon, delicious.
thank you,
Carmen D
Have been dieing to know how to make cafe de olla..Thank you so much.
I’m marching myself straight to the kitchen.
Bertha
Which brand of Mexican coffee do you recommend? There are too many to choose from. 🙁
Mely Martínez
Hello Bertha,
I mentioned in the post that the 2 most common are the Plachuela and Caracolillo varieties.
Try to purchase a dark roast, Mexico has very good quality coffee. It could be from the Chiapas or Veracruz region.
Regina
Am I going to buy “instant” coffee for the cafe de olla!
Mely Martínez
Hello Regina,
You need to use ground coffee.
Anita
Love the cup & dish pictured with your recipe above. Do you have a store that sells them?
Mely Martínez
Hello Anita,
I bought them in Mexico. However, I have found that they are also sold at Latin grocery stores in cities with a large Mexican population. There are some similar ones on Amazon.
Sarita
Love this recipe! Thank you for sharing. I tried it and we love it!! We are coffee lovers and I think we will always have it this way. Another fave.
Andrés
I made this for my friends and had to make three batches for the five of us! Tastes just like what you'd get at in the restaurants. Quick and easy, an amazing recipe.
Brandy Barbee
Husband made it this morning- took me back to Las Caletas. Delicious!!!
Gwendolyne
What brand coffe do you use
Mely Martínez
Hello,
I had been using a coffee from the State of Veracruz.
Joe
Finally got around to making it this weekend and it was awesome. I added 2 cloves and a small anise star (didn't have an orange for the peel). I used the fatter, flakier cinnamon bark, which, I think, is more traditional. Will it work similarly with the tightly curled Indonesian cinnamon, because the other type isn't as readily available?
Mely Martínez
Hello Joe,
Thank you for trying the recipe, I love that you added the cloves and the anise.
Juan
Can you leave the piloncillo out to add the sugar at you taste?
Mely Martínez
Hello Juan,
Yes, you can, it will not taste the same but sure you can use sugar. You can also buy ground piloncillo online instead of sugar. Or dissolve the piloncillo in a separate pot.
Mark Hazell
My friends in Teotitlan del Valle in Oaxaca make something similar by grinding canela with coffee beans when making expresso. They then add steamed milk with piloncillo dissolved in it - delicious! It’s like a blend of cafe de olla and cafe con leche - different than either, but so good!
Mely Martínez
Hello Mark,
That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Maria
One of the Best Cafe de olla I have tried.
Tee
Hi. I tried making it and poured it over a strainer before drinking it. But the coffee grounds still go through. Is this right? We just drink some coffee grounds with th coffee?
Mely Martínez
Hello Tee,
After allowing 5-7 minutes for the coffee grounds to go to the bottom of the pot Before straining it. The strainer has to be a fine-mesh strainer. And, not coffee grounds in the coffee.
Gloria
Great recipe. Is cream ever added to cafe de olla?
Mely Martínez
Hello Gloria,
It's not common to add cream to "Café de Olla", but you can add it if you want.
Kelsey
I lived in Mexico for a while and would drink this all the time. Finally decided to attempt to make it myself and this tastes spot on. Thank you!
adelicia
if I make it the night before can I reheat it the next morning for work?
mmartinez
Hello Adelicia,
Only if you like reheated coffee. Juts do not reheat for too long.
Gwendolyne
Love this , thank you it brought me back to my grandmother's kitchen
Kathe
Hi there
Having Mexican food at meeting tomorrow and want to serve this. Is there anyway we can make a larger amount in a drip coffee pot? Could we make the syrup somehow and add it to the coffee? I noticed these comments stopped in 2012 so hoping you get this
mmartinez
Hello Kathe,
What you can do is add the cinnamon in small pieces mixed with the coffee grains. I had tried and it tastes good, Not exactly as the one you make in the regular pot. For the piloncillo, yes, you can melt and have it on the side, so everyone can pour to their own liking to sweetend the coffee.
I hope this helps you.
Sandi
Hello Mely,
I happened upon your site while seeing a yelp review of a local Mexicans restaurant. I will seek out authentic piloncillo at one of our local Mexican Marketsbecause I cant wait to try this recipe. So long as it’s a dark roast coffee I’m all in! I grew up enjoying the darkest richest roasted coffees because” that’s how my Italian parents & entire family served it. I’m also interested in trying something called “ (a cool/cold chocolate like beverage that’s vigorously whipped (?) by hand till frothy) if you have a recipe for that I’d love to see it to try it as well.
I hope you’re having a wonderful summer!
mmartinez
Hello Sandi,
Thank you for stopping by. Is that chocolate drink one from Oaxaca or Veracruz. There are some drinks made with chocolate that have a frothy foam on those 2 state in my country.
Mayra
It’s a coffee the family loves. Saturday and Sunday’s are for cafe de olla. Thank you for the recipe.
mmartinez
Hello Mayra,
Great family tradition. 🙂
Esther
Hi Mely! I love cafe de la olla! I leave out the piloncillo since I'm diabetic, but make up for the flavor with the canela.
I remember drinking this with my grandmother & aunts in Michoacan; good memories. The last time I was there, I bought ground coffee in Uruapan, & almost had to surrender it at the Guadalajara airport. What an ordeal! Anyway, I enjoyed that coffee for a long time!
mmartinez
Hello Esther,
Sweet memories from your aunts and grandmother.
Antje
Ich liebe Blog. Ich liebe mexikanisches Essen. So glücklich, dass ich dich gefunden habe. Vielen Dank!
Ariana
Sweet! Can't wait to make this!
Carolyn T
Hello Mely - yesterday a group of friends visited a Mexican restaurant in San Juan Capistrano (So. California) and we ordered their "special" coffee. All seven of us were in heaven. So now I'm at your blog, reading the recipe. I found Goya brand panela at amazon. Is it one that you recommend? Amazon has several brands, and perhaps if I sought out a local Mexican market I could find others. Goya's IS a kind of cone shape (and you mention not to buy that type) yet I thought Goya was a good, reputable brand (from Spain, I know). Goya's got the better marks from users at amazon, but there are many other brands with no comments at all. Any advice? Thank you!
mmartinez
Hello Carolyn,
The Goya brand is more refined but you can still use it. There is a smaller version (cones) that are less refined and render better flavor. Check this link: http://amzn.to/2oh6YSr You can also look for it at latin stores, always choose the ones with a darker color and rough finish. The one for Goya has a light caramel color and other brands sell the same type.
Enjoy you coffee!
Anonymous
I lived in.Mexico city when I was 25. I'm now 73 and for years I used to wonder how the spanish ( Spain ) used to make a delicious coffe that aS sweet and cinnamonly she would pour about half full and full with milk. I never knew how she made it but I never tasted it again. The recipe for cafe de olla might be it. Any ideA what I'm talking about???
mmartinez
Hello,
I hope I knew about that coffee you are mentioning it sounds delicious. Now, I also want to know about it. Please do try this recipe, maybe is something similar.
Javier
I believe you're talking about a"bon bon" its condensed milk and black coffee.
Alicia
In Merida, they add stone fruit! Illy is also my favorite.
Unknown
Gracias Mely! I will try this recipe this week 🙂
Saludos,
Aida
Monkey Mans Mama
Hello Mely. How does one tell the difference between the real piloncillo and the dark sugar cone?
mmartinez
Hello Monkey Mans mama,
Real piloncillo looks like a solid material, it could be dark or light amber. There is a fake piloncillo from China, that is lighter in color and right away you can see that granular sugar in the cone.
Trish
I noticed you make the coffee in a saucepan. Thoughts on using an earthen clay pot? Growing up I thought I remember my aunts using one. If so, any suggestions on where or which ones to buy? Thank you!
Mely Martínez
Hello Trish,
Look for the ancient cookware brand in Amazon.
Little Dikkins
Thank you Melly, I had this coffee in the food court of a Mexican Supermarcado in Delano several years ago one Sunday morning and loved it--finally engaged my brain and did a search for the recipe.
mmartinez
Hello Little Dikkins!
Enjoy your coffee! 😉
amandamilstead
Thank you for posting this recipe! We are traveling in Mexico and do not have a coffee pot in our apartment. However, we did find a pot and strainer!
Miz Helen
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great week and enjoy your new Red Plate.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Pily
Qué rico café Mely... me gusta mucho así, yo no soy mucho de café mi esposo ama el buen café pero con éste frillito ... se antoja verdad?
Saludos querida Mely
Pily
Qué rico café Mely... me gusta mucho así, yo no soy mucho de café mi esposo ama el buen café pero con éste frillito ... se antoja verdad?
Saludos querida Mely
Miz Helen
Hi Mely,
I would just love to have a cup of this Cafe de Olla right now, it looks awesome! Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Chris
Love those two coffee mugs, the glaze looks like something my potter friends would make.
I have a cone of piloncillo that I need to use, maybe I should make this for Alexis.
Nora
Mely, yo si tomo café y me gusta solo o con un poquito de miel de agave. Después de probar muchas marcas de café, me quedé con Café Garat, Café Gourmet 100% mexicano, Tostado regular (Hay varias presentaciones) Se los recomiendo. Hoy salió tu publicación en mi blog. Muchas gracias amiga!
Mercedie Shipp
I just found this blog today. I have been seeing a wonderful Mexican gentleman and need to learn how to make different Mexican meals. He has told me how good Mexican coffe is. I would love to try this recipe for him. I was wondering though do you use the instant coffee or the regular coffee?
Mely
Hello Mercedie,
Use ground coffee for this recipe. Thanks for your kind comments. Please check your email, I sent you some ideas for breakfast.
Mely
Mercedie Shipp
I just found this blog today. I have been seeing a wonderful Mexican gentleman and need to learn how to make different Mexican meals. He has told me how good Mexican coffe is. I would love to try this recipe for him. I was wondering though do you use the instant coffee or the regular coffee?
Sandra
que rico!
Sara B.
Hola Mely, cuál es su café favorito? De vez en cuando, compro mi café de justcoffee.org porque conozco la compañía en Agua Prieta, Son. Pero cuál café toman en su casa? Le agradezco por sus recetas y memorias - fantásticos!! Feliz día del pavo (mejor tarde que nunca)!
Mely
Hola Sara,
Hay un sitio que se llama "thatscoffee", ellos venden café de la región de Orizaba y Cordoba en Veracruz. Lo venden como la opción 'fare trade". Pero aquí sigo tratando de encontrar algo que me guste. El café "Illy" es hasta ahora mi favoríto.
Gracias por tu comentario, muy amable.
Mely
Ziho
Hola Mely
Qué delicia de café, sabe riquísimo con canelita!!!! y qué mejor para esta rica temporada!
Brewella Deville
This does look like a good campfire recipe. I'm going to try it.
Mely
Yes, it is. Now I remember that you also like camping.
Have a great weekend.
Mely
Robert Groves
What a great recipe. Since I discovered café de olla it has become one of my favourite ways to make coffee. I think everyone should try this. I like to add anise as well.
Mely
Your are right Robert, at least once. If you are a coffee drinker, give it a try.
Mely
Aldy @ Al Dente Gourmet
That looks incredible delightful, Mely! Loving the addition of CANELA 🙂 Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
Abrazotes <3
Candace
Hi Mely! This looks like the perfect thing to warm me up when I get back to cold New England. I was shopping with my mom down here in Texas yesterday and saw piloncillo for the first time in a long time. I've never bought it before but it caught my eye enough for me to pick it up and ALMOST purchase it. If I had just read this post before that trip to the market, I definitely would have. I'm going to have to make a trip back before I leave for New Hampshire. Yum!
Mely
Hello Candace,
You must go back and purchase the piloncillo, it gives a new dimension to warm drinks when you add a little bit of it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gloria
Hola Mely! Love this coffee. I do have the piloncillo, but not the pure one. I'll have to look for it. Looks delish! Glad you carry out the tradtions. Happy Thanksgiving Mely to you and your family, in case I don't see you before. Thanks for the coffee amiga!
Mely
You are welcome Gloria. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Letty
In 2021 about to try for thr first time in the morning 😁😁
Swathi Iyer
I love this traditional version of coffee Mely. we have a similar version with palm sugar.
Prieta
Yum, Mely, this coffee looks so good! I love cafe de olla and I take it black. When I make mine I like to add orange peel in the pot, it gives my coffee an added flavor an fragrant that I enjoy. Some times I add a splash of piquete, any kind. Your coffee looks delicious, I can almost smell it! Happy Thanksgiving!
Mely
Hello Prieta,
I forgot to add about the orange peel. It really adds a bonus fragrance to the coffee.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Nammi
wow!!