The weather recently in Isla Vista has been the harbinger of spooky season: foggy, eerie, the windshields misted with cold, gray air that blankets all, every corner dark and menacing, always looking over your shoulder. As a Saw apologist, I certainly don’t shy away from seeking the thrills that October provides: horror mazes and movie marathons on end, in all languages as long as they are the scariest films known to man. What I often miss or have trouble maintaining are the more homey aspects of fall, of pumpkin pies and other comforting baked goods, rewatching the Gilmore Girls’ dance marathon episode for the millionth time, cozy socks and warmly hued leaves strewn all about, carelessly, calmly distributed. It’s true that I can do all of these things at any time in the year, but they only begin to take importance at the start of holiday season, and only when I’m with the people I care about. 

Last week, after a gray, drab vested day, I trudged into my apartment, the fog floating past our windows, the cold air whooshing in. The house smelled a little burnt, but was warm from whatever feast was being cooked in the kitchen by my roommate, Brianna. 

Being the hurricane of energy she is, she whizzed past me to our room, calling back “try it, it’s goood.” I just wanted to melt into my warm bed, frizzy hair and all, but decided I didn’t mind a small snack beforehand. Meandering over to the stovetop, I found a small pot with what looked like coffee and a cinnamon stick, and a pan full of bacon. Now normally, I don’t love to drink caffeine after 2 pm but I have, in situations of great stress or exhaustion. 

This particular time, the ache of the cold air outside had settled in my bones and placed me in the merciless hands of the latter. I knew the bacon certainly wasn’t for this vegetarian, so I grabbed a mug from the shelf and spooned myself some of the warm brown coffee. It was love at first sip. I felt my exhaustion, my dreariness clear, strength returning, even if slightly. I knew then that I had to have her make it for me constantly, not to feed my caffeine addiction but rather to give me that cozy fall vibe I so crave. Now, to me, this drink represents just that, and is the epitome of all things fall. But to her, it’s something else.

To her, it means warmth in the embrace of her loving grandma in Mexico, the comfort of the knowing familiarity that only a family can provide. Typically served with special emphasis on Christmas and the Day of the Dead (but really throughout the year), this drink comes from revolutionary origins, apparently being the favorite drink of Emiliano Zapata, leader of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Now, just as then, it is universally drunk, made for and popular amongst all. Don’t believe it? Give it a try! The recipe is as follows:

Warm and cinnamon-y, this drink is sure to lull you into a restful, dreamy autumn.

Café De Olla 

Yield: 4 cups

Duration: 30 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1.2 L water (roughly)
• 1 block piloncillo 
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 2 spoons of instant coffee (preferably Nescafé Classic)

Instructions:

• Heat a pot of water with the block of piloncillo and cinnamon stick
• Allow mixture to boil until a light brown tint is achieved
• Add instant coffee, allow to boil for 2 minutes after
• Take off heat, allow a moment to cool, and enjoy!

When you drink this drink (and I hope you will), what do you feel? If it’s anything like what I felt, you will surely crave café de olla as long as the winter chill wisps through the air, and make some warm memories with it as I have. Save this recipe for a gloomy day, and see where it takes you, and what fall adventures await. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 12 of the Oct. 10, 2024 edition of the Daily Nexus.