OyaJava · October notes

Naija After Dark

Some coffees know how to dress for evening.

Cocoa, brown sugar, espresso and a cloud of milk. A little evening drama, made from ordinary cupboard ingredients.

This is my own mocha-espresso riff, with a nod to my Nigerian roots—not a traditional Nigerian recipe.

One iced cup

• 2 tsp instant espresso
• 2 tbsp hot water
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• ¾ cup milk of your choice
• Ice and a pinch of cinnamon

Three steps. Then sip.

1. Stir espresso, cocoa and brown sugar into the hot water until smooth.
2. Add ice and milk to your cup. Pour in the mocha espresso.
3. Finish with cinnamon. Stir, sip, stop improving it.

For a warm version, use warm milk and skip the ice. Decaf instant espresso works for an evening version, too.

Nigeria’s Independence Day was October 1. This October note is a small encore: coffee, connection, and a little room to create.

Keep a light for love.
Leave a chair for possibility.

Evening listening: Wizkid featuring Tems, “Essence”

Nigeria’s Independence Day: October 1 · An Independence-season note.