Carajillo Recipe: The 2-Ingredient Coffee Cocktail to Try Next

Carajillo Recipe: The Easy 1:1 Ratio

It might look like something you would order at a bar, but an iced Carajillo is surprisingly good to make in your own kitchen. Particularly popular in Mexico, this version brings espresso together with Spain’s vanilla-spiced Licor 43. The trick is not a fancy technique; it is choosing coffee strong enough to balance the sweetness.

The ratio to remember: equal parts espresso and Licor 43 Original. Start with 45 ml (1 1/2 oz) of each. If your espresso machine makes a 30 ml (1 oz) shot, use 30 ml (1 oz) of Licor 43 instead. There is no need to make extra coffee just to hit a number.

At a glance

• Time: About 5 minutes, plus time for the coffee to cool
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 1
• Glass: Rocks glass
• Taste: Coffee-rich, sweet, gently spiced
• Tools: Coffee maker and measuring cup or jigger; shaker and strainer optional

Ingredients

• 45 ml (1 1/2 oz) Licor 43 Original
• 45 ml (1 1/2 oz) espresso, brewed and cooled
• Ice, for shaking and serving
• Optional: a light dusting of cinnamon

How to make a Carajillo

1. Brew your espresso and let it cool until it is no longer hot. Never seal steaming-hot coffee in a shaker; heat can create pressure.
2. Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
3. Pour the cooled espresso and Licor 43 into a shaker with a generous handful of ice. Shake firmly for 10–15 seconds, until the mixture is cold and lightly foamy.
4. Strain over the fresh ice in your glass. Finish with a little cinnamon if you fancy it, then serve straight away.

Love My Drink tip: Make the first one at 1:1. Once you know how your particular espresso tastes with the liqueur, you can adjust the next glass rather than guessing before the first sip.

Why Two Ingredients Are Enough

Licor 43 is sweet, with vanilla, citrus and warm spice notes. Espresso brings roasted depth and a little bitterness. Put them together and the coffee cuts through the sweetness while the liqueur softens the sharper edges of the espresso. You do not need cream or extra syrup to make it feel rounded.

Make it suit your taste

• Balanced and mellow: 45 ml (1 1/2 oz) espresso + 45 ml (1 1/2 oz) Licor 43 — the easy 1:1 starting point.
• More coffee, less sweetness: 60 ml (2 oz) espresso + 30 ml (1 oz) Licor 43. Same idea, much more coffee-forward.
• A smaller after-dinner pour: 30 ml (1 oz) of each, served over ice in a small glass.

If you love strong black coffee, try the coffee-forward version. If you usually add sugar to your espresso, start with equal parts. Neither needs a different technique.

Carajillo vs Espresso Martini

They are both cold, coffee-led cocktails, but they are not interchangeable. A Carajillo gets its sweetness and spice from Licor 43, then lands in a short glass over ice. An Espresso Martini usually uses vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso; it is shaken and strained into a stemmed glass without ice.

Choose the Carajillo when you want something relaxed to sip slowly after dinner. Choose the Martini when you want a drier, more spirit-forward coffee cocktail with that classic coupe-glass finish. If you enjoy both, our Espresso Martini recipe makes a useful side-by-side comparison.

The Little Details That Make It Better

• Make the coffee count. Use espresso you enjoy drinking. If it tastes thin on its own, it is unlikely to stand up to the liqueur. A concentrated moka-pot coffee or cold brew concentrate can work too, although the texture may be different.
• Cool the shot first. Coffee that is still steaming can melt your shaking ice too fast. You want a cold drink with a clean coffee flavour, not warm, diluted coffee over ice.
• Shake for the texture, not a towering foam cap. A brisk shake can give you a delicate layer of tiny bubbles. Some coffees foam more than others. A thin top is absolutely fine.
• Use fresh ice for serving. Shake with one handful and strain over another. It is a small step that keeps the finished glass looking and tasting fresher.

No shaker? Still make it.

Pour cooled espresso and Licor 43 straight over ice and stir well. You will lose some of the foam, not the point of the drink. A spoon is enough. If you are building a home bar, our guide to cocktail tools for beginners explains what is genuinely worth buying and what can wait.

Make Two When the Conversation Is Still Going

You can make two drinks in one round rather than shaking them separately. Brew the espresso earlier so it has time to cool, then wait until you are ready to serve.

For two Carajillos: measure 90 ml (3 oz) cooled espresso and 90 ml (3 oz) Licor 43. Shake together with ice if your shaker has enough space, then strain into two rocks glasses filled with fresh ice. Set out a few squares of dark chocolate if you like. It feels considered, but you have barely added to the washing-up.

Carajillo FAQ

Is Licor 43 a coffee liqueur?

No. Licor 43 Original is a sweet Spanish liqueur known for vanilla, citrus and spice notes. The coffee flavour in this recipe comes from the espresso.

Can I make it without an espresso machine?

Yes. Use strong moka-pot coffee or cold brew concentrate, measured in the same amount as the liqueur. Ordinary weak filter coffee will give a less pronounced coffee flavour, and the foam may be lighter.

Does a Carajillo need cream to get foam?

No. Shaking coffee with ice helps create a light frothy layer. It will not be exactly the same with every coffee, and that is fine. The classic two-ingredient version needs no dairy.

Is Carajillo always served cold?

No. Carajillo has different traditions and serves, including hot versions. This is the iced espresso-and-Licor-43 style associated especially with Mexico.

Can I use decaf espresso?

Absolutely. Keep the same proportions. Decaf still contains a little caffeine, but it is a useful option when you want a coffee cocktail later in the evening.

Keep This One in Your Back Pocket

Next time somebody suggests coffee after dinner, this is a lovely alternative to another round of dessert. The only trick worth remembering is equal measures — everything else is about making it taste good to you. And if the evening calls for a warm coffee cocktail instead, there is always our Irish Coffee recipe.