From Oaxaca’s market stalls comes Chocolate Oaxaqueño, a traditional hot chocolate that fuels Oaxacan mornings. Made from coarsely ground cacao, cinnamon, sugar and almonds pressed into tablets, it is dissolved in milk or water and beaten to a thick, fragrant foam with a wooden molinillo. Sipped with pan de yema or poured over tamales, it is comfort in a clay cup.
Chocolate Oaxaqueño
From Oaxaca’s market stalls comes Chocolate Oaxaqueño, a traditional hot chocolate that fuels Oaxacan mornings.

Step by stepInstructions
- Heat the milk with the cinnamon stick and a pinch of salt in a saucepan until steaming, but not boiling.
- Add the chopped chocolate, sugar and ground almonds, if using, and stir until completely melted.
- Beat the chocolate vigorously with a molinillo, rubbing the handle between your palms, until a thick layer of foam rises — about 3 minutes.
- Serve immediately, pouring each cup with a high stream to raise the foam, with pan de yema or cookies alongside.
💡 Chef tips & storage
A molinillo is the traditional tool and worth owning, but an immersion blender or vigorous whisking produces a fine foam too. Oaxacan chocolate tablets vary in sweetness — taste before adding sugar.

Join the conversation
Only members can comment — it takes a few seconds to create a free account.
Log in Create an account