A two-ingredient carajillo with hot espresso shaken over Krampus Herbal Liqueur. Roasted hazelnut, honey and coffee with a thick foam top.
The carajillo is a two-ingredient coffee cocktail with roots in Spain and a huge following in Mexico, where it's shaken over ice with Licor 43 into a foamy after-dinner drink. It has become one of the most searched coffee cocktails in the U.S.
This version makes it with Krampus Herbal Liqueur.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Krampus Herbal Liqueur
- 1½ oz fresh hot espresso
Directions
- Pour the Krampus into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Shake the hot espresso hard with ice for 10 seconds.
- Strain the espresso over the Krampus so it floats in a foamy layer.
Glass: Rocks glass · Garnish: Three coffee beans
Tip
Shaking the espresso by itself is what builds the foam. Pour it slowly over the back of a spoon for a clean two-tone layer.
Variations
For a darker coffee carajillo, use ¾ oz Krampus Herbal and ¾ oz Krampus Coffee Liqueur. For an after-dinner sipper, use Barrel-Aged Krampus.
A Brief History of the Carajillo
The carajillo comes from Spain, where coffee with a splash of brandy or rum has been a café habit since at least the 1800s. A popular story says Spanish soldiers in Cuba mixed coffee with rum for courage, coraje, which became carajillo, though the tale is more legend than record.
In Mexico, the drink became a modern classic made with Licor 43 and espresso shaken over ice, and that version is driving its popularity in the U.S. today.
Why Make It With Krampus
Licor 43 is a vanilla and citrus liqueur. Krampus brings roasted hazelnut, raw honey and warming spice instead, and hazelnut and espresso are a natural pair, the same combination behind every hazelnut latte. The honey softens the espresso's bitterness without making the drink cloying, and the spice makes it feel right for winter.
FAQ
What is a carajillo made of?
Espresso and a liqueur, traditionally Licor 43 in Mexico or brandy or rum in Spain, served over ice or hot.
Is a carajillo served hot or cold?
Both. In Spain it is often served hot. The Mexican style, shaken and poured over ice with a foamy top, is the version most people order in the U.S.
What can I use instead of Licor 43 in a carajillo?
Any sweet liqueur with warm flavors works. Krampus Herbal Liqueur adds hazelnut and honey, which pairs especially well with espresso.