Mezcal Carajillo
A Mexican coffee cocktail that layers smoky mezcal and sweet Licor 43 with bold fresh espresso. Shaken hard over ice, it builds a gorgeous crema top while delivering a drink that is as much a conversation piece as it is a satisfying after-dinner sipper.
- 1½ ozmezcal
- 1 ozlicor 43
- 1½ ozespresso
- 3 coffee beansgarnish
- 1Brew a fresh shot of espresso and allow it to cool slightly — about 1 minute.
- 2Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- 3Add the mezcal, Licor 43, and espresso to the shaker.
- 4Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds until the shaker is very cold and frost forms on the outside.
- 5Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- 6Strain the cocktail over the ice.
- 7Garnish with 3 coffee beans placed on top of the foam.
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The Carajillo has its roots in Spanish colonial Cuba, where soldiers are said to have mixed coffee with rum for liquid courage before heading into battle. From there the drink traveled through Latin America, arriving in Mexico where it took on a new identity. Around 2015, a wave of Mexican bars began shaking the Carajillo with Licor 43 poured over ice, creating a frothy, cafe-ready cocktail that swept the country. As Mexico's mezcal culture flourished through the 2020s, bartenders began swapping in smoky espadin mezcal alongside or in place of the original Licor 43 base. The result was a bolder, earthier version that carried the spirit of Oaxacan agave traditions into every cup. By 2025 the Mezcal Carajillo had earned recognition as one of the most exciting trending coffee cocktails on the global stage.
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Everything you need to make a great Mezcal Carajillo at home.
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