The popular Mexican-style Carajillo pairs espresso with Licor 43, a sweet vanilla-citrus liqueur. A strong coffee and controlled liqueur ratio keep it balanced.
Ingredients
- 40 ml (1.35 oz) Licor 43
- 30-40 ml (1-1.35 oz) fresh espresso
- Firm ice
- Optional: orange peel
Tools
- Shaker for a foamy version, or a rocks glass for a built version
- Jigger
- Strainer
Method
- Chill the glass and brew the espresso.
- For a foamy drink, shake Licor 43 and espresso with ice for 10-12 seconds.
- Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
- For a built version, pour both ingredients over a large cube and stir briefly.
- Taste before adding any sweetener.
Decide between shaken and built
The shaken version is colder, lighter, and capped with coffee foam. The built version is denser and lets the liqueur and espresso stay more distinct. Neither is automatically better.
Control sweetness through the ratio
Licor 43 contributes sugar as well as alcohol and aroma. Do not add syrup by default. If the drink tastes like vanilla candy, reduce the liqueur before increasing bitterness.
Keep the coffee concentrated
Regular drip coffee often disappears under the liqueur. Fresh espresso or concentrated moka coffee gives the drink enough structure without requiring more total liquid.
This drink contains alcohol and caffeine. Serve it only to adults of legal drinking age and drink responsibly.
What goes wrong and how to fix it
- Too sweet: the liqueur ratio is high or the coffee is weak. Increase coffee concentration or reduce Licor 43.
- Coffee disappears: use fresh espresso rather than standard drip coffee.
- Watery: avoid pouring shaken drink over melting shaker ice.
- No foam: use fresh espresso and shake with enough firm ice.
Substitutions
- No Licor 43: another vanilla-forward liqueur can work, but sweetness and spice will differ.
- No espresso: use 35-45 ml concentrated moka coffee.
- Want it less sweet: use 30 ml Licor 43 and 40 ml espresso.
Cost, time, and difficulty
Usually US$2.50-6 per serving, with the liqueur accounting for most of the cost.
FAQ
What is a Carajillo?
Carajillo broadly means coffee with liquor. The modern Mexican version commonly combines espresso and Licor 43.
Should a Carajillo be shaken?
It can be. Shaking makes it colder and foamier; building over ice gives a clearer, stronger texture.
Is it very sweet?
Licor 43 is sweet. A strong espresso and a lower liqueur ratio keep it balanced.
Can I make it without Licor 43?
Yes, but it becomes a variation because the vanilla-citrus profile changes.