A popular Spanish after drink, the Carajillo is a sweet and aromatic coffee cocktail to finish off your meal.

If you love both coffee and cocktails, then the Carajillo recipe is a match made in heaven. This iconic Spanish coffee cocktail originated in southeast Spain but has become especially popular in Mexico, particularly in Mexico City, as we discovered during our travels there.

The Carajillo Coffee combines the bold flavor of espresso with the smooth sweetness of Licor 43 (or other spirits like brandy or rum) to create a rich, spiked coffee that’s perfect for sipping. Whether you enjoy it the traditional way or the more elaborate Carajillo Quemado (Burnt Carajillo), this drink delivers a unique blend of caffeine and liqueur that’s both energizing and indulgent.

Table of Contents

Ways to Prepare Carajillo Coffee: Traditional Carajillo vs Burnt Carajillo

Traditional Carajillo: The first (and simplest) method is to combine a shot of strong espresso with a shot of your favorite liquor—most often Licor 43, brandy, or rum.
Burnt Carajillo: The second (known as Carajillo Quemado or Burnt Carajillo) takes things up a notch. This version infuses the liquor with aromatic spices and citrus peel before blending it with the hot espresso. The extra steps create a richer, more flavorful drink that truly delivers the ultimate Carajillo experience. The “burnt” method (Carajillo Quemado) actually burns off some of the alcohol content while infusing the liquor with aromatic flavors. The result is smoother and more fragrant but not as strong in alcohol kick as the quick espresso and liquor method.

ingredients to use for the carajillo coffee

What Ingredients Go Into Carajillo Recipe?

Strong espresso coffee: Freshly brewed espresso is the base of any authentic Carajillo. For best results, use high-quality Italian coffee to create a rich crema (foam layer) on top.
Liquor of your choice: In Spain, Carajillo is often made with dark liquors like cognac, whiskey, or rum. In Mexico, the most popular option is Licor 43, a sweet Spanish liqueur with notes of vanilla and citrus. We used it in our blood orange and rose creamsicle cocktail. You can also try spiced rum, such as Captain Morgan, which adds warm vanilla and oak flavors. It’s typically the go-to brand for a classic rum cocktail.
Aromatics: To elevate your Carajillo, infuse the liquor with aromatics like lemon peel, a cinnamon stick, and a few coffee beans for depth and complexity.
Brown sugar: A touch of sweetness helps balance the bitterness of the espresso and enhances the flavors of the liquor.

top view of carajillo cocktail with garnish

How to Make Traditional Carajillo Coffee

1 — Brew a shot of strong espresso and set aside.

2 — In a heatproof glass, pour in your choice of liquor.

3 — Add brown sugar if desired, then stir until dissolved.

4 — Pour the hot espresso over the liquor and gently stir. Serve immediately and enjoy your simple, bold Carajillo coffee.

heating the rum with the aromatics on a saucepan for the carajillo

How to Make a Burnt Carajillo Coffee

1 — Brew the espresso: Prepare a fresh shot of strong espresso and set it aside while you infuse the liquor.

2 — Infuse the liquor with aromatics:

In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm your chosen liquor with the aromatic ingredients (lemon peel, a cinnamon stick, and coffee beans) for about 1 minute. The liquor should be hot but not boiling. Heating allows the aromatics to release their essential oils and flavors. Pour the mixture into a heatproof glass.

3 — Burn the liquor:

Carefully ignite the hot liquor mixture to create the signature “burnt” effect. Allow the flame to naturally extinguish or gently blow it out. This process not only infuses the liquor with spice and citrus but also slightly reduces the alcohol content, resulting in a smoother Carajillo Quemado.

burning alcohol for the carajillo recipe

4 — Sweeten and combine:

Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to a heatproof cocktail glass. Pour in the infused liquor and stir until the sugar dissolves. For added flair, you can spoon out a little of the hot liquor, ignite it with a lighter, and quickly pour it back into the glass a few times to intensify the “burnt” effect. The flames will be very subtle and last just for a few seconds.

Allow the flame to extinguish naturally, or blow out the flame. This process transfers all the essential oils and aromas of the aromatic ingredients to the rum. It also burns off some (but not all) of the alcohol content so that the Carajillo recipe will not be too strong.

infusing the rum with aromatics - carajillo cocktail

5 — Add the coffee:

Slowly pour the espresso into the glass. Alcohol and coffee have different densities so different layers form naturally. So to avoid the coffee and liquor separating into layers, pour it gently over the back of a spoon for a smooth, blended finish.

6 — Garnish and serve:

Top your Burnt Carajillo with a twist of lemon peel and a couple of coffee beans for an authentic presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy!

carajillo garnish - lemon and coffee beans

Recipe Notes and Tips

Best time to enjoy: Carajillo is traditionally served hot as an after-dinner digestif. But you can also serve it cold over ice for a refreshing variation.
Infusing for multiple drinks: If you’re making several Carajillos at once, skip the burning step and heat the liquor, lemon peel, cinnamon, and coffee beans infuse longer in the saucepan. This saves time while still giving the drink rich, complex flavors.
Layering trick: Because alcohol and coffee have different densities, they naturally form layers. For a more unified drink, pour the espresso slowly over the back of a spoon to help the liquids blend together.
Glass choice: Because we are infusing the rum into the drinking glass, select a thick glass cup that can withstand heat. Irish coffee glasses are ideal for this cocktail.
Can I make Carajillo without espresso?: Yes! While espresso gives the drink its rich crema and bold flavor, you can substitute it with very strong brewed coffee or even cold brew concentrate if espresso isn’t available.

More Easy Coffee Drink Recipes to Try

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Carajillo Recipe

A popular Spanish after drink, the Carajillo is a sweet and aromatic coffee cocktail to finish off your meal.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course Drinks

Cuisine Cocktails

Equipment

Saucepan
Heatproof glass
Long stem lighter
Long spoon

Servings: 1

Ingredients

4 oz espresso coffee
4 oz dark liquor of your choice traditionally rum, brandy, or Licor 43
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 lemon peel
½ cinnamon stick
2 coffee bean and more for garnish

Instructions

How to make Traditional Carajillo:

Brew a shot of strong espresso and set aside.
In a heatproof glass, pour in your choice of liquor.
Add brown sugar if desired, then stir until dissolved.
Pour the hot espresso over the liquor and gently stir.
Optional: Top with a twist of lemon peel and a couple of coffee beans for an authentic presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to make a Burnt Carajillo (Carajillo Quemado):

Brew a fresh shot of strong espresso and set it aside while you infuse the liquor.
In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm your chosen liquor with a lemon peel, a cinnamon stick, and coffee beans for about 1 minute. The liquor should be hot but not boiling. Pour the mixture into a heatproof glass.
Carefully ignite the hot liquor mixture with a lighter or small flame until the sugar melts slightly and the aromatics release their fragrance. Once infused, extinguish the flame.
Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to a heatproof cocktail glass. Pour in the infused liquor and stir until the sugar dissolves. For added flair, you can spoon out a little of the hot liquor, ignite it with a lighter, and pour it back into the glass a few times to intensify the “burnt” effect.
Slowly pour the espresso into the glass. To avoid the coffee and liquor separating into layers, pour it gently over the back of a spoon for a smooth, blended finish.
Optional: Top with a twist of lemon peel and a couple of coffee beans for an authentic presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal

KEYWORD: carajillo recipe

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