Iced Mexican Mocha
This iced Mexican mocha recipe is actually one from years ago here on LM. The recipe is so easy and so tasty (and it’s cuss words hot outside) that it needed an update and a reboot! While it isn’t authentic, it’s my easy way to enjoy some of that delicious combination of chocolate and spices.
I dreamed up this iced Mexican coffee inspired drink for Día de Muertos back in 2015 (just after my wedding). I was working with a sugar company and had a few week run of sugar-inspired recipes.
My husband had just started a job and I all too quickly inundated them with delicious, homemade goodies! I quickly had to settle back on my dessert making and stick with healthy veggie-focused salads so nobody revolted!
I’m a purist when it comes to my iced coffee and cold brew. There are so many products and recipes that have flavors added, but I always go for the classic, adding the sweetness and milk on my own. Rarely (basically never) do I venture into the minty, salty, caramely varieties.
This Iced Mexican mocha (or is it an Iced Mexican coffee?) is just the perfect spin on my classic drink, however, that I will make an exception at home!
Most of the flavor comes from the spices, which the foodie in me loves. And I always have all of the ingredients on hand, so I can whip it up whenever I need to kick up the flavor of my coffee.
It’s also a great recipe for any Mexican holiday parties, including Cinco de Mayo and Día de los Muertos festivities.
CONTENTS
Iced Mexican Mocha
So this recipe is actually for hot or iced mexican mocha. If your house is anything like ours, then you have at least one who only drinks hot coffee and another who really likes it iced. It’s a crazy life – somehow we make it work!
Anyway, this recipe pulls on the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate – cocoa powder, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. It doesn’t take much of any of these spices to add a warm flavor to your coffee!
What Milk Can You Use in this Mocha?
I used nonfat milk in this recipe because I always have it on hand. Obviously a reduced fat or whole milk would be super delicious.
Or if you use almond or coconut milk or the very popular (and rather tasty) oat milk… Well, my mouth is starting to water thinking how delicious that would be. So, yes, you can use whatever milk you like in this recipe.
You can also use whatever kind of brewed coffee (or even espresso) you have on hand. I love that I can make this as a treat on the weekends. I can just as easily make it for my morning coffee and start my weekdays off on a tasty foot!
Coffee Recipes
Want some other ideas to spice up your coffee (literally)?! Try this easy cardamom latte and this nutmeg coffee with eggnog whipped cream!
Or if you just want some more chocolate and spices in your life, try this Mexican Chocolate Cake!
Check out these other drink recipes! And see how you can drink coffee more sustainably as well as this lengthy list of sustainable coffee brands!
ICED MEXICAN MOCHA
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional – see note
- ½ cup water
- 2 cups cold coffee
- ice
- milk/cream of choice
Instructions
- Sift sugar, cocoa, and seasonings together.
- Mix ½ Cup cocoa mix with ½ cup water. Heat in microwave for 20-30 seconds until sugar mix dissolves into water. Chill.
- Stir cocoa ‘syrup’ into two cups cold coffee.
- Serve over ice with milk
There is a latte stand in my hometown that has a “Mayan Mocha” on their menu and it’s been on there for several years. They weren’t willing to share their recipe, but yours looks like it could be the same as theirs. The little bite on my tongue after swallowing is what got me! So delicious and very unexpected. Thank you for sharing. I cannot wait to try it!
I just found this recipe and it looks so good. I was wondering if you had a favorite chili powder you use. I’ve noticed some have very different notes to them. Thanks
Hi Kim,
I don’t have a specific brand to recommend. The only thing to watch out for is to use pure chili powder, not a mix with garlic and other seasonings. I don’t think that mix would be bad, actually, but I’d recommend a pure option!
I made this the other day as a treat for my daughters and myself. Oh my gracious, so good!!!
Tonight I put the flavoring syrup together and added a pinch of salt and a splash of Mexican blend vanilla. I’ve got the coffee cold brewing and the half and half ready to foam in the morning.
Thanks for such a fancy, delicious treat.
I’m so happy to hear you love this recipe! I LOVE the idea of pre-mixing the flavoring syrup! xo Luci
This is such a great treat for coffee lovers like me!
This is the BEST iced coffee recipe I’ve ever tried! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
This recipe was fabulous! It was super easy and so refreshing. I’ll definitely be making again!
Those awesome spices take this iced coffee to the next level!!
My daughter and I just tried this recipe. The chili powder gave me a minute of pause but we pushed ahead. It came out wonderfully! Our new favorite.
Love this Luci! And the photos are so pretty! And I want one right now. Delicious.
The recipe sounds delish! I’m going to try it, never though of cayenne on a Mexican coffee, but makes sense, chili 🌶 is a staple ingredient on many Mexican fishes and drinks.
Looks delicious! My family would love this.
This is so delicious! I made this coffee right after I read the recipe and I think it’s my new favorite!
I live for good iced coffee! This looks better than store-bought coffee. Will definitely try it!
Chili + cinnamon + cayenne is such an intriguing combo in coffee – I cannot wait to give this a try! Might become my favorite summer drink this year! 🙂 Thank you for this!
The addition of cinnamon and cayenne to this is fantastic! Such a great flavour. I am a huge coffee fan, and this is my new favourite way to enjoy it.
I’ve been drinking so much more coffee than normal since covid! Your version of iced Mexican coffee was so delicious! I love the cinnamon flavor!
Hi. These are so pretty! My mom loves the glasses and I was wondering where you got them. It is never to early to start Christmas shopping, am I right? (:
Hi Averi! No, it’s never too early. My aunt used to start shopping the year before and just picked things up as the ideas came to her! Much less stressful that way! My glasses are old, but they still have lots of similar styles. xo Luci
Thank you so much!!