Skip to main content
Bon Appétit

Iced Café de Olla

4.9

(19)

Image may contain Food Dessert Creme Cream and Caramel
Photo by Rick Martinez

“I love the flavor of orange zest and spices in a café de olla,” says Rick Martinez, who was working on his cookbook on regional Mexican food while quarantining in Mazatlán, a city on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. “So I created a concentrated syrup that is ready on demand to flavor any cold brew. Use coconut milk to add richness and even more tropical flavor.”

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 5-8

Ingredients

¾

cup grated piloncillo or (packed) dark brown sugar

1

3" canela or cinnamon stick

5

cardamom pods, cracked

5

allspice berries

1

tsp. black peppercorns

Pinch of kosher salt

3

wide strips orange zest

5–8

cups cold-brew coffee

Unsweetened coconut milk or half-and-half (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring piloncillo, canela, cardamom, allspice, peppercorns, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Add orange zest; let cool.

    Step 2

    Strain spiced syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring glass; discard spices. (You should have about 1 cup.)

    Step 3

    To make 1 drink, pour 1 cup cold-brew coffee into an ice-filled glass. Stir in 2–3 Tbsp. spiced syrup; top with 2–3 Tbsp. coconut milk.

    Step 4

    Do ahead: Syrup can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

Explore Bon AppétitCold DrinkMexicanLatin AmericanCoffeeCinnamonCardamomOrangeCitrusFruitDrinksNonalcoholic
Sign In or Subscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate Iced Café de Olla?

Leave a Review

Reviews (19)

Back to Top

  • I made this when it first was published in Bon Appetit back in 2021 I believe. It was amazing! Just right for this heat wave here in Houston , TX, right now!

    • Margie

    • Houston, TX

    • 6/20/2023

  • I've made this syrup twice now and will definitely make it again. Keeps well in the fridge but I always end up finishing it before the seven days! I don't have allspice berries on hand so I use about 1/4 tsp of ground allspice instead and it works well. I've tried the recipe with coconut milk and with whole milk, both were great. (Also tried oat milk but didn't like it as much) I've also used the recipe with a strong black tea instead of coffee; it makes for a delicious drink! Very similar to a chai latte with a hint of citrus.

    • Anonymous

    • Halifax, NS

    • 8/14/2022

  • Fantastic flavors.

    • Steve

    • 7/11/2021

  • This was so amazing. I don't even like sweet coffee drinks, but this was my favorite drink of the year!

    • bluesweater

    • San Diego

    • 10/4/2020

  • Oh man - this is perfection! I will be making this syrup weekly. Perfect balance of sweetness and spice with a hint of citrus. I love it!

    • Anonymous

    • Melbourne

    • 10/1/2020