Sasha G.
Yelp
A great specialty coffee experience near the Cuoyacan square is what Cafe Avellaneda is. Roasting their own coffee, a variety of Mexican coffees, Cafe Avellaneda represents a newly blossoming speciality coffee scene in Mexico City. I love the fact that they are dedicated to perfecting Mexican coffees (as Mexican coffees are not given the praise they deserve in the specialty coffee scene) and sticking to their roots. They extract some great espresso here and brew coffee using a pour over method (the Clever). Preferring espresso over brewed coffee, I thoroughly enjoyed their cappuccino. Deliciously steamed milk and a perfectly balanced espresso, with just the right amount of acidity.
However, their show stoppers are the iced coffee "cocktails" (read: no alcohol). The Juanito was legit the best iced espresso drink I have EVER had. It was a combination of espresso, tamarind, club (or tonic) soda, garnished with a orange rind (ala Old Fashioned) that was squeezed to extract the orange oils, and a variation of a dark, mild berry that didn't have a very distinct taste but added a necessary pop and fruitiness to the drink, to top it all off. HOLY crap. What an amazing concoction. The espresso and tamarind mixture was inspiring, a complete new experience for my American-accustomed taste buds. Whoa. It's a premade mixture and I was simply dying to know the recipe so I regret I didn't ask. If you go to Cafe Avellaneda (and you SHOULD), ask them and tell me!