The Carajillo Shakeado: Espresso and Licor 43 in Motion

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The Carajillo has older roots than its current bar-menu popularity suggests, but the shaken version most drinkers recognize today belongs to a more contemporary style of service. In that form, espresso and Licor 43 are chilled hard together until the drink turns glossy, fragrant, and lightly foamed.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces licor 43
• 1 1/2 ounces espresso
• Garnish with a coffee beans
• Garnish with a rosemary sprig
• Garnish with a charred lemon slice

Directions

• Add Licor 43, espresso, and ice to a shaker.
• Shake hard until well-chilled and lightly frothy.
• Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
• Garnish with the charred lemon slice, coffee beans, and rosemary sprig.

An Older Name, a Newer Serve

Historically, carajillo refers broadly to coffee mixed with liquor, with versions associated with Spain and later many parts of Latin America. The precise origin story is debated, and the drink exists in multiple local forms, so broad claims are best treated cautiously.

The "shakeado" version now common in Mexico is more specific. It is typically built around Licor 43 and espresso, then shaken with ice to create a colder, more polished presentation than a simple spiked coffee.

Why the Modern Version Works

Licor 43 brings vanilla, baking spice, and gentle citrus notes. Espresso supplies bitterness, roast, and body. Shaking transforms that combination by chilling it quickly and creating a lighter texture at the top of the drink.

That foam is part of the appeal. It makes the Carajillo feel both energetic and dessert-like without becoming heavy.

A Contemporary After-Dinner Standard

The modern Carajillo has grown because it solves two jobs at once: it reads as a cocktail, but it also satisfies the after-dinner pull of coffee service. It can sit comfortably on a restaurant menu, a cocktail list, or a late-night bar program.

Its enduring appeal comes from contrast. It is sweet, but not soft. It is coffee-driven, but not hot. It feels indulgent, yet remains clean enough to invite another sip immediately.

Best after dinner, late in the evening, or anywhere a coffee-forward cocktail fits better than a heavier dessert drink.