Do you dare to order flaming Mexican coffee? Liquor on fire, creating a spectacular show. Experience this when you travel to Mexico. Do not miss out on this cocktail with #tequila and #kahlua which includes a fiery show. Where to get this in Baja California. We had no idea what a treat we were in for and enjoyed every moment! #thingstodo #OurCarpeDiem #bucketlist #MexicanCoffee #CocktailHour #AfterDinnerDrinks #BurningDessert

Flaming Mexican Coffee: A Spectacular Drink in Mexico

Let me introduce you to our first flaming Mexican coffee. While we were having a succulent dinner overlooking a quiet beach, we noticed a fire show at a neighboring table. What a show! Of course, we asked about it and were told that this was Mexican coffee.

flying birds flocking to the Flaming Mexican Coffee.
“Is it cocktail hour yet?”

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What is Flaming Mexican Coffee?

In the past, when we had “Mexican coffee”, it was almost “boring”: Kahlua, tequila topped with whipped cream and some cinnamon. Enjoyable, tasty but not a huge wow-factor. Until our lives changed…

When we stayed at the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, Mexico, our foodie world expanded with a fiery dessert. Yes, that is where we encountered Flaming Mexican Coffee! An amazing one-man show with fire, booze and coffee! Burning tequila and flaming kahlua. Served in a glass with caramelized sugar/cinnamon coated rim.

Two glasses of flaming Mexican coffee cooling down so we can drink them.

What is not to love? Right away, we decided that we had to try it. Carpe Diem! Or maybe Carpe Café in this case.

Beach, beach chair, see and mountains. Overlooking the Islands of Loreto.
A great place to enjoy a flaming Mexican coffee!
View over the Bahia de Loreto

Our Experience with Flaming Mexican Coffee

After we finished our meal, we couldn’t wait to try our own Mexican coffee show. They lit the Kahlua and tequila on fire, they poured and flaming liquids were “everywhere”. Leaning back, relaxed after a good meal, we very much enjoyed the spectacle. According to my theory all the alcohol burns off, so it’s basically just an after dinner coffee, right?

Over the next few days we might have chosen this special coffee again, just because life is too short not to. And since coffee is a bean, it really is like eating vegetables. Also it was my birthday month, so it was impeccable timing. Roasted vegetables for the win!

Overlooking the pool at Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto. Here we had our first flaming Mexican coffee.
Villa del Palmar

What is the History of this Cocktail?

Commonly believed that this cocktail is based on a drink called carajillo. One explanation says that it dates back to the times when Cuba was a Spanish province. The Spanish troops drank coffee with rum to give them courage. “Coraje” is Spanish for courage, and since it’s only a small amount of courage, they named it corajillo, which later morphed into carajillo.

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Where Can You Get This in Mexico?

Doing some web research showed that this drink is available many locations in Mexico. So if you are at a resort or restaurant in Mexico, ask about it. Even if they don’t have it there, they might know where you can get it.

Flaming Mexican coffee is an excellent finish to a superb dinner!

In our case, it was at the Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, which looks out over an UNESCO World Heritage site AND it is a national park in Mexico. Truly, you can’t beat this view! Especially with good food and flaming drinks. It was a great way to celebrate watching grey whales in Magdalena Bay.

After our discovery, we have had it at our Villa Del Palmar in Los Cabos, so I thought it might be a signature drink for the Villa Group. But further research has shown that there are many other place that offer it.

Mexican bird in need of flaming coffee
“I need Flaming Coffee to wake up in the morning!”

Or Maybe in the USA?

Not surprisingly, some US restaurants copied this Mexican coffee although they often rebranded it as Spanish coffee. For example, Huber’s Cafe in Portland, Oregon started offering during the 70s. Since this is also the oldest cafe in Portland, we now have two reasons to visit when we make it to Portland!

Can You Make Your Flaming Coffee at Home?

Frankly, I would NOT recommend doing it at home, because it is just too nice to sit back and let someone else deal with all the logistics. But if you insist, Flaming Spanish Coffee seems a good recipe, but use tequila instead of their rum. Caution: Do NOT burn down your house! Frankly, I would caution against trying it at home.

Conclusion: Go For It! (You Only Live Once)

Have you ever seen this Flaming Mexican Coffee show? If so, where did you see it? How did you like it? Or did you get a similar Spanish Flaming Coffee?

If you haven’t tried it yet, put it on your bucket list.

TripAdvisor


The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.

Alice Morse Earle

Other Things To Do in Mexico

Or expand your world by visiting a coffee farm in Costa Rica!

Pin Flaming Coffee in Mexico

Do you dare to order flaming Mexican coffee? Liquor on fire, creating a spectacular show. Experience this when you travel to Mexico. Do not miss out on this cocktail with #tequila and #kahlua which includes a fiery show. Where to get this in Baja California. We had no idea what a treat we were in for and enjoyed every moment!
#thingstodo #OurCarpeDiem #bucketlist #MexicanCoffee #CocktailHour #AfterDinnerDrinks #BurningDessert

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Comments

13 responses to “Flaming Mexican Coffee: A Spectacular Drink in Mexico”

  1. John Avatar
    John

    That’s an explosive mixture Karen. Don’t go too mad on them, all the alcohol won’t burn off, but some yes. Makes our Irish coffees look a bit average. Note to self – Add more fire.

    1. Karen Lanzetta Avatar

      Darn, maybe enough alcohol will burn off to make it back to our hotel room 😀
      I bet you could do this with Irish coffee too, but for me it feels like a “Don’t try this at home” activity. I will keep it as a maybe once a year treat 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and adding your two cents on the chemistry of it all. I guess I can still count coffee beans as a vegetable though. Hope springs eternal.

  2. allofbritnee Avatar
    allofbritnee

    This coffee sounds like my kind of coffee.

    1. Karen Lanzetta Avatar

      Yes, it is sooooooo good! Looking forward to finding some next week in Cancun!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

  3. Shana Seigler Avatar

    That sounds so delicious and spectacular. Way better than this glass of wine I’m sipping lol

    1. Karen Lanzetta Avatar

      Yes, it is awesome, but don’t try this at home 😀 😀
      Wine is nice too though, just not as sparkly ^^

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting

  4. Sophie | Love and Literature Avatar

    Wow, this sounds incredible! I’d love to try it one day! x

    Sophie | loveandliterature.co.uk

    1. Karen Lanzetta Avatar

      Yes,it was super cool, and I soooo hope we can do it again next winter, after the plague. I doubt we will be doing any traveling this winter.
      Hope you will be able to experience it!
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting <3

      1. Melissa Avatar
        Melissa

        I had this Devine experience as well. The Riu Palace Resort in Puerto Vallarta came around with a cart at their steakhouse located along the beach. It was quite a show and absolutely delicious. We went back every night of our 5 night stay.

        1. Karen Lanzetta Avatar

          That sounds like a great time! So glad you got to enjoy it!

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