Café de la Olla + VIDEO

Café de la Olla … sweet and yummy. The spices and the AROMA… Oooh!

I’m slightly addicted to coffee. Forget crack. It’s got nothing on coffee. Every morning, I must have a cup. If not, it ain’t pretty. LOL!

When I was younger (a lot younger), I visited my aunt in Mexico City. It was the first time I ever had it. Just a little sip, but it was enough to get me hooked on this delicious drink.

Serve this for Sunday brunch or a special sweet treat. I know you’re going to LOVE this!

How to Make It

• Add water to a stock pot.
• Add piloncillo, cinnamon, and cloves.

Piloncillo is a must for this recipe, but if you can’t find it, you can use packed brown sugar.

Don’t you mean Cafe de la Hoya?

Cafe de la Olla and Cafe de la Hoya are the exact same thing. Just different spellings.

What does cafe de olla mean?
Literal translation: coffee from the pot.

“Olla” is the correct spelling for “cooking pot.” Where the word Hoya is not correct, but some people will misspell words.

“Cafe de Olla” and “Cafe de la Olla” are the same thing too.

• Bring the water up to a boil.
• With your spatula, break up the piloncillo.

Fully melt the piloncillo before proceeding to the next step.

Pro Tip:

Piloncillo is raw sugar cane and extremely sweet.

For a less sweet version: Use a smaller piloncillo cone, or break up a large one and only use half.

Not everyone uses cloves but whole cinnamon is a must for this recipe. Stick with the stick. None of that powdered cinnamon stuff.

• Once the piloncillo has melted, remove the stock pot from heat.
• Let sit for 5 minutes.

No one likes bitter or burnt coffee.

Piloncillo is sugar and boils at a higher degree. If you add the coffee while it’s boiling, you will burn the coffee.

Additions:

Some people will also add other spices like star of anise or anise seeds. If you have some on hand, they make a great addition to this recipe.

Instant Coffee or Real Coffee?

Mexicans love instant coffee. For this recipe, though, you need the real deal coffee. Like the kind that goes in a coffee maker.

• Add the coffee.
• Steep for 5 minutes.

Don’t let it steep too long, or you can burn the coffee, resulting in bitter coffee.

Ice Coffee:

How to make iced Café de la Olla:

• Let the coffee cool completely.
• Add ice to a glass.
• Pour coffee over the ice.
• Add more ice if necessary.

You can also add milk to the iced coffee if you like. Or as is. Typically, this drink is served hot and without milk, but to each their own.

• Strain the coffee, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
• Serve immediately.

There are restaurants that ONLY serve this type of coffee in Mexico. Be sure to ask before ordering coffee what type it is. You might be greeted with a sweet surprise.

Mexican Breakfast Ideas:

Chorizo con Huevos
Huevos Rancheros
Chilaquiles Verdes
Papas con Huevos

This authentic Café de la Olla Recipe is a keeper! Sweet, yummy, and incredibly delicious.

It goes perfectly with Mexican Conchas or Apple Empanadas. Perfect for Sunday brunch and special mornings.

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!