Carajillo Recipe: DIY Homemade Spanish Coffee Cocktail

Quick Answer

The Carajillo is an easy drink that mixes equal parts espresso or cold brew with Licor 43, a sweet vanilla Spanish liqueur. It is less intense than an espresso martini and has about half the alcohol. You get rich coffee with soft vanilla and citrus. Serve it over ice in a rock glass and add a few coffee beans. It is ready in 5 minutes and great for coffee lovers who want a laid-back cocktail.

Key Takeaways

• Uses equal parts coffee and Licor 43 for a balanced, smooth taste.
  
• Has about 104 calories per serving with less alcohol than an espresso martini.
  
• Needs only 5 minutes to prepare with two main ingredients.
  
• Works with espresso, cold brew, or decaf based on your taste.
  
• It has roots in Spain and spread across Latin America with many local twists.
  
• Easy to tweak with cinnamon, orange peel, or a splash of mezcal.
  

I stood in my friend's kitchen, and she promised a coffee cocktail that would not leave me wired like those trendy espresso martinis I had started to dodge. "Trust me," she said and lifted a bottle with a bright yellow label. Minutes later she handed me a drink that looked simple yet tasted layered. The coffee gave a gentle bite, and the vanilla and citrus rounded it out. I took one sip of this carajillo and smiled. My hunt for a calm coffee cocktail felt over.

What is a Carajillo?

The carajillo, pronounced as kah-rah-HEE-yo, is a cocktail that blends coffee with liqueur for deep flavor without a harsh edge. The most common version uses only two parts in equal measure. Use espresso or cold brew coffee and add Licor 43.

Licor 43, called Cuarenta y Tres in Spain, is made with forty-three botanicals and spices. The taste leans on vanilla with light citrus and chocolate notes. It sits at about 31 percent alcohol, which is about half the strength of vodka or rum. That keeps the carajillo gentler than many coffee drinks.

A typical serving land near 104 calories, based on nutrition data. It is lighter than cream heavy coffee cocktails.

What sets the carajillo apart is simple craft. Equal parts make it hard to mess up, even for new home bartenders. The flavors play well together. Coffee adds a mild bite, and the liqueur brings sweetness, so the result feels smooth and easy to sip.

Rich History of the Carajillo

The carajillo has a long, wide story. Sources say it first showed up in Spain and later moved into Latin America through old colonial ties. The name may link to the idea of courage, or coraje in Spanish. Some say soldiers drank it for a bit of nerve before battle.

As it traveled, the recipe changed in each place. In Colombia and Venezuela, many people use brandy. In Cuba, rum is common. In Mexico, Licor 43 is popular, and some bars add mezcal for a light smoky note.

The Mexican style with Licor 43 became the best known in many cities. It picked up steam in Mexico City cafés and bars and then moved north. One article from the Alcohol Professor points to a rise that likely started in San Francisco and then spread across the United States in recent years. People wanted an option beyond the usual espresso martini.

In Costa Rica in the mid twentieth century, many enjoyed Carajillos after dinner. A common move was to order brandy in a snifter and a side of black coffee. Then the hot coffee was poured into the brandy. That step helped lift the aroma of both parts and gave more than taste alone.

Today, bartenders still explore new spins. They try different beans, spirits, and ways to serve the drink.

How to Make a Perfect Carajillo

This cocktail is very easy to make at home. Use this simple method.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces espresso or cold brew coffee, room temperature or chilled
  
• 2 ounces Licor 43
  
• Ice
  
• Coffee beans for garnish, optional
  

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
  
• Rocks or old-fashioned glass
  
• Strainer
  

Instructions

1. Chill your glass: Place your rocks glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes.

2. Combine ingredients: Add the espresso or cold brew and Licor 43 to your cocktail shaker.

3. Shake thoroughly: Add ice to your shaker, seal it well, and shake for about 20 seconds until the outside feels frosty.

4. Serve: Fill your chilled glass with fresh ice, strain the drink into the glass, and add a few coffee beans on top if you like.

The charm of this drink is how it adapts. No espresso machine? Cold brew works fine. Watching your caffeine? Go with decaf. The equal parts ratio stays the same in every case.

For the best taste, brew fresh espresso and let it cool a bit. Very hot coffee can shift the alcohol and change the flavor. Let it cool for two to three minutes before you mix.

Carajillo vs. Espresso Martini

The carajillo gives a clear option next to the well known espresso martini. Both show coffee up front, yet they differ in a few big ways.

The espresso martini uses vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and sometimes simple syrup. It hits harder on alcohol due to the vodka. It is often served in a martini glass with a light foam on top.
The carajillo uses only Licor 43 or a local swap for the spirit. The taste feels more balanced and less boozy. It is also served over ice in a rocks glass, which makes the drink feel more easygoing.

A Forbes post says many cocktail fans have started to favor the carajillo over the popular espresso martini. The story quotes a Mexico City hotel bartender who says the carajillo brings more depth and character with lower alcohol.

If espresso martinis feel too strong or too heavy for you, try a carajillo. You get a bold coffee flavor, and you skip the jittery edge.

Creative Variations to Try

The classic carajillo is a simple base that invites play. Want a twist? Try a new path today, friend.

Mezcal Carajillo

Swap Licor 43 for mezcal plus coffee liqueur to add smoke and depth. A Forbes style take says:

• 1 oz espresso
  
• 1 oz mezcal
  
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
  
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
  
• Shake with ice, strain into a glass, and add a lime peel for a bright note.
  

Spiced Carajillo

Set a cinnamon stick in the glass and dust the top with cinnamon or nutmeg. These warm spices pair with the soft vanilla tone in Licor 43 and round it.

Citrus Carajillo

Add an orange or lemon peel and press the oils over the drink before dropping it in. The citrus lifts the light orange note already found in Licor 43 and freshens each sip.

Decaf Carajillo

Use decaf espresso or cold brew for a late treat that will not keep you up.

Frozen Carajillo

Hot day? Blend the mix with ice for a frappe style drink that suits hot days.

Some bars build house riffs with extra parts to stand out. The Wynn Las Vegas sells an "Ibiza Cocktail" with vanilla vodka and Kahlua in the mix, a poolside twist with extra kick.

Serving and Presentation Tips

The classic carajillo goes in a rocks glass over ice, yet small service choices can lift the moment:

Glass choice: A clear rocks glass shows the amber glow. A small coupe suits a tidy, no ice pour.

Ice tips: Big cubes or spheres melt slower than small ones, so the drink stays strong.

Temperature matters: Chill the glass first. It keeps the drink cold longer and gives a smoother feel.

Garnish creatively: Beyond coffee beans, try chocolate shavings, orange peel, or a soft dust of cocoa.

Make it ahead: Hosting guests soon? Pre-mix the coffee and Licor 43 with no ice and chill for up to twenty-four hours. Shake with ice right before you pour.

Coffee quality counts: Good beans give better flavor. Use fresh roast from trusted roasters for the richest cup.

This drink stays simple, yet it suits casual hangs and dressy dinners. The layered flavor tastes refined, even though the steps are quick and easy.

When to Enjoy a Carajillo

In Spain and Latin America, the drink has a place in many parts of the day:

Morning pick-me-up: In some areas, a small carajillo starts the day with caffeine and a light touch of spirit.

Afternoon delight: Mid-day Carajillos bring a soft lift without the push of stronger drinks.

Digestif: After dinner, the carajillo fits the end of a meal. It can pair with the usual coffee with a spirit to aid the close.

The broad use makes it fit for brunch, early evenings, and late talks with friends. The lower alcohol level than many mix drinks suits times when you want a treat with a gentle feel.

Conclusion

The carajillo earns its rise as a smart yet easy coffee drink. With two main parts and a short method, it gives a mix of bitter, sweet, and warm notes in clear balance.

You can keep the classic with Licor 43 or try regional paths with brandy, rum, or mezcal to suit taste and mood. Each route adds its own style and keeps the coffee at the heart.

Next time you eye an espresso martini, give this Spanish born, Mexican loved drink a try instead. The carajillo gives the coffee cocktail vibe without the stronger hit, ideal for slow sips and full savor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does a carajillo taste like?

It tastes like coffee with soft vanilla, citrus, and light herb notes. It is less sweet than many coffee drinks, yet Licor 43 brings enough sugar to round the bitter edge.

Can I make a carajillo without Licor 43?

Yes. Classic swaps use brandy, rum, or mezcal. Any spirit that pairs with coffee can work, yet the flavor will change from the Licor 43 base.

Is a carajillo stronger than an espresso martini?

No. A carajillo tends to have less alcohol. Licor 43 at thirty one percent ABV has about half the punch of vodka at forty percent, which is used in espresso martinis.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Yes, use a vanilla syrup and a drop of orange blossom water to echo parts of Licor 43. It will not be a true carajillo, yet the flavor will feel close.

How do you pronounce carajillo correctly?

Say “kah-rah-HEE-yo,” with a light stress on the third beat.

Can I use hot coffee in a carajillo?

Most serve it with room temp or cold coffee, yet some places, like Costa Rica, use it hot. If you use hot coffee, skip the shake and pour it right into the glass with the liqueur.

About the Author

This article comes from the Lifeboost Coffee team and draws on wide study of coffee drinks and classic bar guides. We also used trusted drink press and food culture sources to help you make this at home with care and ease.

Disclaimer: This article is for readers of legal drinking age. Always drink with care and follow your local laws on alcohol. The calorie and nutrition notes here are estimates and can vary based on the exact parts you use.

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