Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s famed Blue House was teeming with tourists on a Sunday afternoon. Coyoacán is a historic neighborhood in southern Mexico City that may best best known for Museo Frida Kahlo. A few blocks away from the famous couple’s former home, Cafe Avellaneda is a more low-key spot with a surprisingly ambitious coffee program.

Juan Carlos de la Torre opened his six-seat, rust-colored coffee bar under a blue awning in 2010. The charming hole-in-the-wall houses a two-group La Marzocco espresso machine for standard drinks. They also craft several coffee cocktails.

I was impressed with Juanito (45 pesos ~ $2.50). Equal parts espresso and a sweet tart mix of tamarind, lemon, and sugar. This signature Cafe Avellaneda drink also incorporated euebro (juniper) and slightly bitter, carbonated tonic water, served in an Old Fashioned glass with a lemon twist over ice. Stir to fully integrate the muddy but flavorful liquid at the base of the glass.