Carajillo
COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 45 ml Cold Brew or Espresso
- 45 ml Licor 43
- 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters
GARNISH:
- Dehydrated Orange Wheel
INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake energetically until chilled and thick foam develops.
• Strain into a cocktail glass over large block of fresh ice.
• Garnish with a dehydrated orange fan.
Cocktail author: traditional Mexican cocktail with roots in Spain.
With the New Year’s celebration comes the end of the holiday season, and with that one might start looking for mellower, lower ABV drinks to turn to after all that wild holiday booze. In that context Carajillo might be the perfect cocktail to try. Easy to make, low in ABV and with enough caffeine to wake anyone up, it is a great drink for those who are looking for something a little special, but do not want to get hammered or simply want an afterparty drink.
In simplified terms, Carajillo is a spiked coffee. It starts with espresso or cold brew base. I prefer cold brew, with those delicate notes of chocolate, dried fruits and subdued acidity. Then, the alcohol component comes from Licor 43, bringing sweetness and delicious vanilla flavour which goes together so well with a cold brew. A couple of dashes of orange bitters, helps to tease out some of the more hidden notes of the coffee and adds a little bit of spice. Cocktail has to be shaken very energetically, cause without that thick creamy foam it cannot be a great Carajillo.
All in all, it is a delicious cocktail to try and have in the back of your head the next time you have some guest and want to offer them something a bit more special than just a simple cup of black coffee.