Coffee-Spiced Mexican Hot Chocolate
A warming blend of rich chocolate, bold coffee, and a hint of chili spice, perfect for cozy nights or festive gatherings. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, brings together whole milk, dark cocoa powder, espresso for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz whole milk
- 2 tbsp dark cocoa powder
- 1 oz espresso
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp whipped cream
The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 8 oz whole milk, 2 tbsp dark cocoa powder, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp chili powder, and 1 cinnamon stick.
- Step 2: Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly until hot but not boiling and the cocoa is fully dissolved, about 4 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
- Step 4: Pour the hot chocolate into a pre-warmed mug and gently stir in 1 oz freshly brewed espresso.
- Step 5: Top the drink with 2 tbsp whipped cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder or chili powder for garnish.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with a small cinnamon stick as a stirrer.







