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International Coffee Drinks

 

# Café de Olla for Two

 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/)

 

Category: [International Coffee Drinks](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/international-coffee-drinks/)Tags: Cafe De Olla Mexican Coffee Cinnamon Two Servings

 

Active time: approximately 10 minutesYield: 2 servings

 

## Quick answer

The method simmers water, sugar, and cinnamon before the coffee is added. This separates the spice infusion from the coffee steep and makes it easier to control the flavor. Keep the simmer gentle and **stir** until the sweetener dissolves; a hard boil is not needed for **the cinnamon** to perfume the water.

## Key takeaways

- The method simmers water, sugar, and cinnamon before the coffee is added.

- Piloncillo has a deeper, less refined sweetness than many brown sugars, while packaged brown sugar can be more uniform.

- After the coffee steeps, strain it through a fine filter so grounds and cinnamon fragments stay out of the cups.

 

![Ground coffee in a portafilter beside coffee beans.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/ground-coffee-in-portafilter.avif)

Ground coffee in a portafilter beside coffee beans.

## Ingredients

 

- 20 g medium-coarse **ground coffee**
 
- 400 ml water
 
- 20 g piloncillo or **dark** brown **sugar**
 
- 1 small **cinnamon** stick.

 

## Method

- Simmer the water, **sugar** and **cinnamon** for 5 minutes.

- Remove from **heat**, **stir** in coffee and steep for 4 minutes.

- **Strain** through a fine **filter** into two cups.

 

### Choose piloncillo or brown sugar

 

Piloncillo has a deeper, less refined **sweetness** than many brown sugars, while packaged brown sugar can be more uniform. Either follows the listed **recipe**. Taste the infusion before adding coffee, and remember that **sweetness** can seem less pronounced once the drink cools.

 

## Strain and serve

 

After the coffee steeps, strain it through a fine **filter** so **grounds** and cinnamon fragments stay out of the cups. Serve hot in small mugs. If you are brewing for guests, keep the pot covered after straining so the coffee stays warm without continuing to steep. For another **sweet**, spiced preparation, compare [the café de olla guide](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/international-coffee-specialties/cafe-de-olla/).

### Serving the coffee hot

 

**Strain** the coffee into warm cups so the drink stays comfortable to sip. If you make it ahead, remove **the cinnamon** after steeping and keep the pot covered; leaving spices in the liquid can make **the aroma** stronger over time. Reheat gently rather than boiling the finished coffee.

 

The listed recipe yields two small **servings**. To make a larger batch, scale the ingredients together and taste before **serving**; do not add extra coffee alone or **the balance** of sugar and cinnamon will change.

### Adjusting the batch for serving

 

Pour through **the filter** slowly so the coffee does not splash into the cups. If you prepare both **servings** at once, stir the pot before **pouring** so the sweetened spice infusion is evenly distributed. Let guests add milk only if they want it; the listed version is served without dairy.

## Further reading

For background on [**espresso**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso) and [milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk), see Wikipedia.

[Back to International Coffee Drinks](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/international-coffee-drinks/) 

Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/). [Read our editorial approach](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/editorial-policy/).

This recipe is an editorial starting formulation, not a documented CoffeeJay kitchen test. Adjust flavour and quantities to your ingredients and equipment.

## Related recipes

- [French Café au Lait](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/international-coffee-drinks/french-caf-au-lait/)

- [Home-Style Café Cubano](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/international-coffee-drinks/home-style-caf-cubano/)

- [Spanish Café Bombón](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/recipes/international-coffee-drinks/spanish-caf-bomb-n/)