Carajillo

A Spanish-born coffee-and-spirit drink that found its modern voice in Mexico, where it's poured equal parts Licor 43 and hot espresso, shaken hard over ice until a tawny foam rises, and served over fresh cubes. The liqueur's vanilla and citrus warmth rounds the espresso's bitterness into something dessert-like and bracing at once. The name nods to the Spanish "coraje" — courage — echoing the legend of soldiers in colonial Cuba fortifying their coffee before battle.

CoffeeClassicAfter Dinner

Ingredients

  • 1.5 ozVanilla Liqueur
  • 1.5 ozEspresso(freshly pulled, hot)

Preparation

Shaken · Rocks · Cubed

  1. 1.

    add

    Add the Licor 43 (vanilla liqueur) and a fresh, hot shot of espresso to a shaker filled with ice.

  2. 2.

    shake

    Shake hard until well-chilled and frothy — the hot espresso against the ice builds the signature foamy cap.

  3. 3.

    strain

    Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass.

Flavor Profile

sweet
39%
body
34%
spiced
32%
bitter
31%
creamy
31%
dilution
29%