Mexican Carajillo: The Two-Ingredient Espresso and Licor 43 Nightcap for Weeknights

Pull the espresso fresh; the crema is what builds the foam. If you do not have an espresso machine, use 2 oz of very strong moka pot or cold brew concentrate.

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) Licor 43 (Cuarenta y Tres)
• 1 double shot (2 oz / 60 ml) freshly pulled espresso, hot
• 1 cup ice cubes, plus more for the glass
• 1 tsp simple syrup (optional, if you like it sweeter)
• Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, sharpens the coffee)
• Optional: 1/2 oz (15 ml) dark rum or reposado tequila for a stronger version
• Garnish: 3 coffee beans or a pinch of ground cinnamon
• Garnish: strip of orange peel, expressed over the glass

Instructions

1. Pull the espresso fresh; the crema is what builds the foam. If you do not have an espresso machine, use 2 oz of very strong moka pot or cold brew concentrate.
2. Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice and set aside to chill.
3. Add the Licor 43 and the hot espresso to a cocktail shaker. Add the rum or tequila if using.
4. Fill the shaker with ice, seal and shake hard for 15 seconds. The heat of the coffee hitting the ice creates a thick, creamy foam.
5. Strain into the ice-filled glass. Let it settle for 20 seconds so the foam rises and separates into a pale golden cap over the dark coffee.
6. Garnish with three coffee beans or a dusting of cinnamon and serve immediately.
7. Weeknight tip: for a batch of four, shake 6 oz Licor 43 with 8 oz espresso in two rounds and pour over ice. For a cleaner look, skip the shaker and simply pour the espresso over the liqueur and ice for a layered version.
8. The carajillo arrived in Mexico from Spain, where laborers once spiked their morning coffee with brandy, but Mexico City made it its own by swapping in Licor 43, a Spanish vanilla-citrus liqueur whose 43 botanicals melt into espresso like sweet cream. Today it is the after-dinner ritual at cantinas and family tables alike, the rare cocktail that takes two minutes and doubles as dessert.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 190 kcal
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 17g
• Sodium: 5mg