Let’s take a flavorful journey to Mexico with a coffee creation that’s as exciting as it is comforting: Mexican Coffee made in a French press. Picture this: rich, dark Mexican cocoa, a hint of allspice, and a warm touch of cinnamon, all steeped to perfection.
But wait—there’s more.
We’re elevating this coffee with a splash of smooth tequila and homemade coffee liqueur, topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon for that irresistible finishing touch.
I’ve tried brewing this blend every which way—pour-over in a V60, the Clever Dripper, even a strong coffee machine brew. But trust me, the French press is where the magic happens.
There’s something about letting the ingredients steep together that brings out a beautifully rounded, harmonious flavor. The coarse grind used in the French press ensures you avoid over-extraction, letting the cocoa and spices shine without any bitterness creeping in.
Meanwhile, other methods struggled to match that balance. The coffee machine just couldn’t capture the depth of flavor, and the Clever Dripper had me chasing the perfect steeping time.
But don’t worry—I’ve brewed countless cups to perfect this recipe, so you can enjoy a cozy Mexican-inspired coffee experience that’s truly unforgettable. Scroll down for all my tips to master this delicious brew.
Ingredients you need
- Coffee beans – Use freshly ground coffee beans for the best flavor and aroma.
- Filtered water – Ensure the water is filtered to avoid any off-tastes in your brew.
- Allspice – Adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the coffee’s richness.
- Cinnamon – Infuses the drink with a cozy, spicy-sweet note.
- Mexican cocoa – Brings a rich, chocolatey layer to the coffee.
- Tequila – Adds a smooth, spirited kick to elevate the flavors.
- Coffee liqueur (homemade or Kahlúa) – Deepens the coffee flavor with a touch of sweetness.
- Brown sugar – I prefer brown sugar in coffee. It sweetens the drink while enhancing the spices.
- Heavy cream – Gives a luscious, creamy texture to the finished coffee.
- Cinnamon for dusting – Adds a final touch of warmth and spice on top.
How To Make Mexican Coffee
Step 1: Heat the water to 200°F-205°F (93-96°C).
Step 2: Weigh the coffee and grind it very coarse for French press.
Step 3: Rinse the French press with hot water.
Step 4: Place the French press on the scale, add the coffee, allspice, cinnamon, and ground Mexican cocoa. Tare the scale.
Step 5: Start the timer and add the hot water.
Step 6: Brew for 4 minutes, then break the top crust but do not stir.
Step 7: Place the plunger on top, resting just above the crust.
Step 8: Brew for another 4 minutes for a total brewing time of 8 minutes.
Step 9: In the serving glass, add ½ tablespoon of brown sugar, coffee liqueur, and tequila.
Step 10: Stir well to combine.
Step 11: Press the plunger down and pour the coffee into the glass, leaving some space for the cream. Stir gently.
Step 12: Top with lightly whipped or unwhipped cream, dust with cinnamon, and serve.
Mexican coffee beans
For a French press, you’ll want coffee beans that provide a rich, full-bodied flavor, as the immersion brewing process enhances the natural oils and depth of the coffee.
- Verve Coffee Roasters – Their single-origin Mexican Arabica beans are a top choice for a French press. The beans from regions like Oaxaca or Chiapas often have chocolatey and nutty notes, which come through beautifully in a French press brew.
- Mayan Harvest – Ideal for French press, their organic Arabica beans from Chiapas offer a robust and flavorful profile, with smooth acidity that pairs well with the immersion brewing method.
- Café de Olla by Café Garat – While this blend often includes traditional Mexican spices, their Arabica beans still shine through with rich, bold flavors. It’s a good choice if you want a unique Mexican coffee experience in your French press.
- Peet’s Coffee – Their Mexican Arabica options are suitable for French press, offering a balanced cup with chocolate and earthy notes, though they may not be as distinctively regional as Verve or Mayan Harvest.
- Café La Llave – Better suited for espresso or drip coffee due to its stronger, more robust blends. It can work in a French press, but the flavor profile may be less nuanced compared to single-origin Arabica beans.
For the best French press experience, Verve Coffee Roasters or Mayan Harvest would be the top recommendations, as they emphasize the quality and the unique characteristics of Mexican Arabica beans.
Suitable Mexican Cocoa Brands
- Abuelita – A classic Mexican brand known for its authentic flavor, with hints of cinnamon that complement the coffee and spices.
- Ibarra – Offers traditional Mexican chocolate with a coarse texture and a rich cocoa flavor, ideal for adding depth to the coffee.
- Taza Chocolate – Features organic, stone-ground Mexican-style chocolate that provides a robust and slightly gritty texture, perfect for French press brewing.
- Moctezuma – Known for its traditional Mexican drinking chocolate, which can add a strong, authentic cocoa flavor to your coffee.
- Hernán – Specializes in high-quality, artisanal Mexican chocolate with deep cocoa flavors, adding a refined touch to the recipe.
Barista Tips
- Great coffee starts with great equipment. That does not mean you need expensive things to make good coffee, but with proper maintenance, everyone’s homebrew can taste barista-made! That principle extends to the water, too! Using filtered water protects your equipment from build-up and produces a better coffee flavor!
- French press coffee is an experience, and it’s all about slowing down! Do not drink the coffee right away; allow the coffee to cool a moment after pouring it. This helps you avoid painful burns and taste your cup’s true flavor!
- If you don’t have an electric gooseneck kettle, try this easy trick: bring the water to a boil and pour it into another pot or kettle. Transferring the water will cool it down quickly.
Products
- French press
- Coffee scale
- Coffee grinder
- Measuring tools / Jigger
- Water filter
- Electric gooseneck kettle
- Serving glass
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Coffee
When using paper filters, it’s crucial to grind the cocoa, cinnamon, and allspice along with the coffee beans. Make sure to keep the grind coarse; a finer grind will extend the brewing time too much. Aim for a brewing time of no more than 3.5 minutes to avoid over-extraction. If the coffee steeps for too long, it can develop a bitter taste that you’ll want to avoid.
More Recipes and Tips You Might Enjoy:
- Can You Make Cold Brew in a French Press?
- Are Coffee Beans Cheaper Than Ground Coffee?
- Caramel Coffee Recipe
- Pumpkin Spiced Coffee
- Can I put Hot Coffee in Glass?
- Brown Sugar in Coffee
- What to put in a Coffee Gift Basket?
- Gifts for Cold Brew Lovers
- Cozy Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Christmassy Eggnog Latte
- Oat Milk Coffee Recipe
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Honey Lavender Oat Milk Latte
- Coffee Con Leche
- French Press Vanilla Iced Coffee Recipe
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @coffeewithnora and hashtag #coffeewithnora_recipes, so I don’t miss it.
French Press Mexican Coffee
Equipment
- Electric gooseneck kettle
- Serving glass
Ingredients
- 7.93 oz Filtered water
- 0.53 oz Coffee beans
- 2 tsp Allspice
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 3 tsp Mexican cocoa
- ½ oz Tequila
- ½ oz Coffee liqueur homemade or Kahlúa
- ½ tbsp Brown sugar
- Heavy cream to top
- Cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
- Bring 7.93 oz Filtered water to a temperature of 200°F-205°F (93-96°C).7.93 oz Filtered water
- Weigh out 0.53 oz Coffee beans and grind it to a coarse consistency, ideal for French press brewing.0.53 oz Coffee beans
- Rinse the French press with hot water to preheat it.
- Place the French press on a scale. Add 2 tsp Allspice , 2 tsp Cinnamon , 3 tsp Mexican cocoa, and ground coffee. Tare the scale to zero.2 tsp Allspice, 2 tsp Cinnamon, 3 tsp Mexican cocoa
- Start your timer and pour in the hot water.
- After 4 minutes, break the crust that has formed on top of the brew, but do not stir.
- Place the plunger just above the crust without pressing it down.
- Allow the coffee to steep for an additional 4 minutes, for a total brew time of 8 minutes.
- In your serving glass, mix ½ tbsp Brown sugar, ½ oz Coffee liqueur, and ½ oz Tequila.½ oz Tequila, ½ oz Coffee liqueur, ½ tbsp Brown sugar
- Stir the mixture well to blend.
- Press the plunger down and pour the coffee into the glass, leaving some space at the top for Heavy cream. Stir gently.Heavy cream
- Top the drink with lightly whipped or unwhipped cream, dust with Cinnamon , and serve immediately.Cinnamon
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food and beverages unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Oh my goodness! Another delicious coffee drink from your site. I only had 2. I promise. 😉
You’re my go-to for amazing drinks–love this one too! I never would’ve thought to put tequila and coffee together. Thanks for another great recipe!
This Mexican coffee looks so good and is perfect for chilly winter nights!