El Carajillo
Let me introduce you to the Carajillo! It’s the ultimate pick-me-up after a long meal, or prelude to a long night.
I first learned about the Carajillo, pronounced [(ka/rah/hee/yo], on a trip to Mexico after a family comida, one of those meals that ends up lasting forever with multiple cigarette breaks, with people coming in and out. After the main courses were cleared, our server asked how many Carajillos we wanted for the table – a cousin signaled to me that I should get one. I listened despite not wanting anything more to eat or drink. I was full, tired, and was starting to worry about the long night I had ahead of me. The drink was put in front of me. I took a sip and I instantly felt my mood shift. I was so uplifted. It was just two ingredients over ice; Licor 43 and a shot of espresso (you can also use very strong coffee).
Licor 43 is an aromatized liqueur from Spain that has 43 “secret” ingredients that taste like cinnamon, vanilla, orange blossom, and a touch of anise. When combined with the coffee it takes on an almost custard-like taste and at 31% ABV packs a punch but doesn’t knock you off your feet.
This is the version of the Carajillo that’s hit every trendy restaurant in the Mexican republic. There are different theories about where it originated. During the Spanish occupation of Cuba, soldiers were said to add rum to their coffee to give them “coraje” (courage) and the name evolved to carajillo. Others say Cuban indentured workers were given the coffee/rum mix to get through the day.
The word also sounds very similar to the expletive “carajo” which is used to say “F*@# It!”. There are also claims that it originated in the southern Spanish region of Andalucía when working-class bars would offer brandy, rum, or anise as an accompaniment to their morning coffee. And they would say - ¿Por qué no, carajo!
Maybe they’re all true. Today regions across Spain and Latin America all have their own recipes.
I was thrilled to see a Carajillo on the last Eastern Standard cocktail list and it was a dangerous one because it had a little less Licor 43 and included a quarter ounce of Blanco Tequila and a quarter ounce of Mezcal (Cut to me daydreaming of Thiago shaking up my drink while I talk to interesting strangers and run into old friends at the bar). If only…
