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Give your late-night sessions a buzz with the carajillo cocktail. Its potent flavor and rich history will have you gearing up for the long battle of staying up past midnight. 

Looking for an easy espresso coffee cocktail?

Then, the carajillo coffee cocktail is a great choice! This coffee-forward drink boasts an intense espresso flavor mingled with the sweetness of rum. It’s a classic cocktail recipe whenever you need a bit of liquid courage or carajillo. 

When life calls for something stronger than a black cup of coffee, it’s time to make a carajillo. Carajillo is a Spanish cocktail made with Liquor 43, rum, and espresso. It has the strong coffee flavor of an espresso martini or coffee cocktail, but it’s a bit simpler. 

What Is a Carajillo?

The history of the carajillo is a bit murky, much like the drink’s dark brown hue. Some historians claim its origins began when Spanish conquistadors made their way over to Cuba. Their opposition, the Cubans, would drink a carajillo for courage, or carajillo, before battle. Others believe the drink originated in the Spanish province of Catalonia in the early 19th century. Whichever story you choose to believe, the result is the same – strong coffee mixed with liquor.

Today, the carajillo cocktail remains a popular cocktail in Mexico City, with some even deeming it the Irish coffee of Mexico. The original carajillo recipe is said to contain a shot of espresso served alongside brandy or rum. We took that original recipe and beefed it up by adding Licor 43, a sweet Spanish liqueur with notes of citrus and vanilla. We also add hot espresso for a pick-me-up and rum for a hint of caramel-y sweetness. Its complex flavor profile and velvety smooth texture make this simple drink a classic amongst coffee and cocktail enthusiasts.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • PERFECT AFTER-DINNER PICK-ME-UP – After a heavy meal, the last thing you want is a sugary, heavy drink. That’s where the carajillo comes in. The rich flavor of the coffee, balanced with the sweetness of the rum, gives you a buzz of caffeine and booze. It’s the perfect way to give you a jolt of energy to carry on those lingering conversations without falling asleep. 
  • SIMPLE YET SOPHISTICATED – Just because this drink doesn’t contain a ton of ingredients doesn’t mean it lacks flavor! Licor 43, espresso, and rum come together, forming a robust yet slightly sweet concoction. It’s the perfect recipe for coffee lovers and caffeine addicts alike.

What You Need to Make a Carajillo

  • Licor 43 – A citrusy, vanilla-flavored liqueur. If you can’t find it, you can use any type of vanilla-flavored liqueur. 
  • Rum – Use your favorite rum for this recipe. Rum adds a subtle sweetness and a depth of flavor to round out the bitterness from the espresso. 
  • Espresso – A shot of espresso adds delicious coffee flavor and a kick of energy. 
  • Coffee beans, for garnish

How to Make a Carajillo

  • Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. 
  • Add all the ingredients and shake well.
  • Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with coffee beans.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • This drink is unique in that you can mix it up or leave the cocktail elements separately, as it’s commonly enjoyed in other countries. If you prefer the latter, ditch the cocktail shaker and simply add your ingredients one at a time, leaving them untouched, allowing each layer to be enjoyed. 
  • We use coupe glasses, but we’ve seen carajillo cocktails served in a variety of vessels from rocks glasses to nick and nora glasses. It’s up to you.

How to Serve a Carajillo Cocktail

A carajillo is the perfect after-dinner delight when conversations start to pick up, keeping you awake into the wee hours of the morning. You can serve it hot or cold, depending on your preferences.

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Whether you’re trying not to nod off during your guests’ boring conversations or want to get a taste of tradition, the carajillo is just the thing you need. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader! 

Carajillo

Experience liquid courage with the carajillo cocktail! Made with Licor 43, rum, and espresso, the carajillo will carry you through the wee hours of the morning.
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Cocktail Recipes
Mexican, Spanish
Author: Kita
5 minutes
Serves: 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker
  • fine mesh strainer
  • Stirring spoon
  • alcohol measuring cup
  • Cocktail glass coupe glass

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Licor 43
  • ½ oz rum
  • 2 oz espresso
  • Coffee beans - for garnish

Instructions

  • Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
  • Add all the ingredients and shake well.
  • Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with coffee beans.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 65mg | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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Recipe FAQs

Absolutely! Feel free to use decaffeinated espresso for this drink if you don’t want to stay up all night.

No worries! You can instant espresso, instant coffee, or plain old strong black coffee. 

Since this cocktail contains only liquor and coffee, it can come on strong if you’re used to more mellowed-out coffee. If you want to make the drink less strong, you can add some half and half and heavy cream for creaminess. If you want the cocktail a little sweeter, feel free to add a splash of simple syrup. 

Kita is a world traveled photographer and writer with over a decade of experience. An award-winning cocktail developer and not-so-secret BBQ aficionado.

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