Hot, hard, and strong, there’s no mistaking the taste of an authentic carajillo for any other kind of drink. The after-dinner classic got its start in Latin America but has quickly become the beverage of choice for folks up North and beyond. Today, you won’t have any trouble finding it on the average bar menu or even at certain licensed coffee shops. Whether iced or hot, the carajillo stands out for its potent flavor and incredibly flexible nature. Drinkers can adapt the beverage to their taste, adding ingredients like condensed milk or even amaretto in favor of sweeter or creamier effects.
Making a good carajillo demands a meticulous curation of key ingredients – namely coffee and Licor 43 – plus some experience and know-how. It doesn’t hurt to have a great carajillo recipe to follow, either.
This article will introduce you to our favorite while outlining the basics everyone should know when learning how to make carajillo for the first time. From the recipe’s origin to its many variations and possibilities, you’ll be a master in minutes.
The Origin of the Carajillo Recipe
A Spanish coffee drink made with a little booze, the carajillo cocktail is known worldwide for its characteristically rich taste. It dates back centuries to the colonial days of Spain and Mexico, when cultures on each side of the Atlantic were heavily influenced by one another.
While the exact place the original recipe for carajillo first came from is unknown, both countries took it and ran. The concept of mixed coffee and brandy spread from small town to small town until everyone in Europe and Southern America had their own version of the drink. Even today, keen bar connoisseurs will notice a difference between carajillo in Mexico and carajillo in Spain. Ingredient lists have evolved to meet the preferences of different crowds with varying additions and levels of sweetness.
One thing that’s remained consistent across the board is the carajillo’s contextual function as an end-of-day pick-me-up. Enjoyed widely as an after-dinner delight, the recipe’s contrasting temperatures and flavors are a delightful combo that creates an opportunity to enjoy a classic with friends and family. It can be served hot and cold, with or without cream and sugar. Perfect for just about anyone who appreciates a pungent cup of coffee.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPANISH AND MEXICAN CARAJILLO?
It’s important to emphasize the fact that knowing how to make a Mexican carajillo and knowing how to make a Spanish carajillo aren’t the same.
In Mexico, Carajillos are always made with Licor 43 and served either puesto or shakeado.
Puesto is the native term for on the rocks – when the espresso is poured to float above the liqueur. Shakeado refers to shaken, or when a drink is whipped in a cocktail shaker and then poured over ice.
Some people don’t see the need to make things that complicated and just consider any type of spiked coffee carajillo. Having popularized among soldiers who added liquor to their coffee during the Spanish occupation of Cuba, that is how it started.
What’s the Difference Between Carajillo and Espresso Martini?
Before getting knee-deep in carajillo recipes, we should also point out an important difference between it and another popular type of boozy coffee.
Espresso martini is a notably sweeter drink compared to carajillo, which has a milder alcoholic kick and a bolder coffee bean aroma. It’s typically enjoyed more during daytime events where full cocktails wouldn’t be as appropriate.
A good espresso martini should leave you feeling elevated and entranced, while a carajillo could be expected to have more of a wakening effect.
If the first option sounds more up your alley than carajillo, rest assured that we have plenty of great espresso martini recipes and tips to explore as well.
How to Make a Carajillo Drink
Mexican Carajillo Recipe
Done with all the talk and ready to make your very own carajillo coffee creation? This recipe will walk you through the process step by step. It’s critical to use these specific carajillo ingredients if you want to mix a Mexican version of the drink.
Ingredients
1.5 to 2 ounces of Licor 43
2 ounces or ½ cup brewed espresso
Amount: 4 to 8 ice cubes (unnecessary for those using BROOD machines)
How to make:
1. CHILL A GLASS:
Start by chilling a glass in the freezer.
2. ADD ICE (optional):
This next step is a matter of preference. Do you like your alcoholic coffee hot or cold? For most people, it’s the latter, which gives ice cubes a big role in making the final product refreshing. You don’t need them if the espresso will be pre chilled by a BROOD machine.
3. POUR LICOR 43:
Mexican carajillo is strictly branded a mix of espresso and a specific type of Spanish liqueur called Licor 43. Pour 2 fl oz of premium Licor 43 to make the sweet base the espresso will compliment.
4. ADD ESPRESSO:
Finally, it’s time to add that equal part of espresso to the chilled cup.
Optional Ingredients For Mexican Carajillo recipe
The carajillo recipe we just shared isn’t gospel – you can feel free to change it based on personal taste preference.
A few popular adaptations include:
Simple Syrup or Sugar Rim
In the mood for a sweeter Carajillo? Try lining the chilled cup in sugar or adding simple syrup to the mix. This will counteract some of the coffee’s bitterness without doing away with its trademark aroma.
Lemon or Orange Peel
Maybe the alcohol and caffeine aren’t enough – maybe you’re one of those people who like to take things to an even more evocative level. If so, incorporate orange or lemon peel into our Carajillo recipe. The zesty elements can further enhance its complexity and fragrance.
Original Spanish Carajillo Recipe
Spanish carajillo is an equally delicious drink to try while you’ve got your bar tools out. This recipe comprises of slightly different ingredients and is made in its own specific way.
Ingredients:
1 pre-poured espresso coffee.
50 mL of base spirit, either brandy or rum.
The mixing process is pretty straightforward – just take your cup of espresso and blend the alcohol in.
For a frothy Carajillo, combine brandy or rum and espresso in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake it well, and then strain the mixture into a glass. Like the Mexican variety, this drink’s taste can be modified with the addition of sugar, cream, orange peel, or lemon peel. The temperature is up to you!
Serving Suggestions for Carajillo
One of the best things about the carajillo cocktail is its ability to adapt to drinkers’ individual taste preferences. You can add a number of different ingredients to our carajillo recipe and come out with something unique every time. What makes up enough of a carajillo drink portion can depend on how much alcohol is involved.
Generally speaking, it should be around 1.2 standard glasses per serving or an alcohol content level of 14.6% alc./vol.
That’s roughly what can be found in the recipe we’ve shared today, which, as a reminder, consists of:
Approximately 1.75 oz. to 2 oz. of freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee.
Around 1.5 oz. to 2 oz. of Licor 43.
For variants, 1 oz. of brandy, rum, or other liquor as an alternative to Licor 43.
When mixed as directed, the above beverage should contain about 125 calories and 13.1 grams of pure alcohol per serving.
How to Make Carajillo with Nitro Infusion
So, you can make a carajillo with cream, a carajillo with tequila, or a carajillo with just about any other coffee cocktail ingredient under the sun. Learning how to make an iced carajillo is like a gateway to infinite possibilities. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, there are no limitations to how the drink can be done or spun.
Those looking to bolster the creamy and velvety texture of their carajillo can do so easily with one of our nitro cold brew machines.
Designed with unique tankless nitro-infusion technology, BROOD systems have the power to take any drink to the next level.
Make a carajillo with nitro infusion by:
Following the recipe’s steps as you normally would.
Connecting a BROOD system to the tap.
Turning on the nitro switch and watching as your carajillo is transformed into a velvety smooth, creamy coffee cocktail.
DRNX
The DRNX espresso martini machine is made for so much more than just one cocktail. Users take advantage of its multifaceted capabilities to craft a wide variety of beverages, from iced lattes to iced tea to hot chocolate. Its variable temperature settings are especially great for carajillo drink fans, as they allow you to adjust the heat of your coffee just like a professional barista. No extensive training or setup is required. With rapid output speeds and consistent nitro infusion, BROOD’s classic DRNX system ensures every Carajillo that comes out of your kitchen tastes just right.
DRNX DUO
When a single carajillo drink isn’t enough to please a whole crowd, DRNX DUO can step in to meet that enhanced need. As the next level up in our series of nitrogen infusion systems, this machine comes equipped with not one, but two dispensing taps to effectively cut your serving time in half. The intuitive control panel makes switching between flat and nitrogenous output easy, so you should have no trouble whipping up a variety of carajillo cocktail creations for patrons of all kinds of palettes. The DRNX DUO is not just a machine; it’s an experience that everyone can enjoy.
DRNX BRW
Does your bar have one, two, or three types of carajillo drink options on its menu? If so, the DRNX BRW Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker can drastically reduce the time and effort it takes staff to mix each. This advanced system is the pinnacle of BROOD’s product offerings, and it’s sure to make your customers happy.
Offering more than just nitro infusion, DRNX BRW has the capacity to brew your coffee quickly and with precision. The machine’s precise temperature control system allows you to customize the brewing process for optimal flavor profiles. There’s no better way to ensure every Carajillo your bar craft comes with a tip.
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to make a carajillo. It’s not that hard, is it?
With the right guidelines and tools in hand, even the most novel of cocktail crafters can create an amazing carajillo. The drink’s classy flavor profile multiplied by the endless carajillo recipes available today equate to unlimited possibilities for drinkers of every taste.
BROOD’s series of professional-grade machines and products can help you conquer the fields of coffee and cocktails with confidence. Start exploring them today!
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