Carajillo, Mexican cocktail

Carajillo is a Spanish origined spiked coffee drink very popular in Mexico City. This drink is made with espresso and Licor 43 and it's served during la sobremesa (the after-dinner part of a Mexican big meal).

Looking for a tasty and unique after-dinner drink to impress your guests? Look no further than the Carajillo! This delicious coffee cocktail has its roots in Spain and has become a beloved beverage in Mexico City.

Made with espresso and Licor 43, it’s the perfect way to end a large Mexican meal during the post-dinner tradition known as la sobremesa. Trust us, your guests will be raving about this one-of-a-kind drink all night long!

Carajillo, mexican coffee cocktail held by a man

What is carajillo?

It is a very easy-to-prepare, after-dinner Mexican cocktail; it’s a digestif or digestivo as we say it in Mexico. It is made with strong espresso and a sweet Spanish liquor called Licor del 43.

This drink is served after everyone has finished eating their main meal, dessert has been served, and the conversation is at its peak, at the sobremesa. You will find it in every restaurant and cantina in Mexico City, and you can ask for it in two different ways: puesto ( on the rocks) y shekeado (mixed in a cocktail saker).

This drink is popular in all of Latin America. Each country has its version of it. For example, in Colombia, they use rum or brandy; in Cuba, with rum, etc.

licor 43 bottle, ice, espresso coffee maker, glaces

What is licor 43?

It is a sweet Spanish yellow-gold liqueur that is said to be made with 43 botanicals, including aromatics, spices, herbs, roots, and citrus. Because of its sweetness and vanilla flavor notes, this liquor is a natural pair with coffee but be sure to try it in other cocktails.

Ingredients for this recipe, the Mexican cocktail carajillo

  • Espresso coffee
  • Licor del 43
  • Ice cubes

How to make the carajillo (coffee cocktail)?

Prepare the coffee, espresso, or robust coffee, and set it aside. Fill a cocktail glass with big ice cubes and add Licor 43. Stir it with a spoon and then place the spoon backward and pour the espresso coffee over it.

You’ll have a beautifully layered cocktail, a classic carajillo cocktail.

carajillo an after dinner mexican coffee cocktail

Frequently asked questions

A person holding a glass with ice and carajillo in it.

Carajillo, the best after dinner Mexican coffee cocktail

Alejandra Graf
Carajillo is a Spanish origined spiked coffee drink very popular in Mexico City. This drink is made with espresso and Licor 43 and it's served during la sobremesa (the after-dinner part of a Mexican big meal).
5 de 2 votos
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Drink
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 1 serving
Calories 175 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 glass

Ingredients
  

  • ice
  • 2 oz espresso coffee
  • 2 oz Licor 43

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the coffee, espresso or very strong coffee, set aside. Fill a coctail glass with big ice cubes and add the licor 43. Give it a stir with a spoon and then place the spoon backwards and pour the espresso coffee over it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 45mgSugar: 18gCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
Keyword blueberry drink, cocktail, coffee cocktail

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
Alejandra Graf
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