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Shake up the holiday season with a festive twist on the classic Spanish coffee cocktail!
This Christmas Carajillo Cocktail combines rich espresso, sweet Licor 43, smooth dark rum and a holiday kick of cinnamon, orange and cloves.
Perfect for cozy nights or holiday parties,it’s a luxurious blend of warmth and cheer in a glass.
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Why You’ll Love This Carajillo Cocktail Recipe
The Carajillo is a Spanish classic that’s gone global! Originally served hot in Spain, it’s also popular in Latin America, where it’s often enjoyed cold.
I first tried this spiked coffee in Barcelona Spain and loved its perfect combo of sweetness and caffeine. Since then it’s become a favourite poolside treat at beach clubs in Puerto Escondido and Bacalar, Mexico.
This Christmas Carajillo cocktail is inspired by the original but we’re giving it a splash of holiday spirit, which makes it perfect for sipping on this holiday season.
It’s perfect for a holiday party along with a selection of other global Christmas cocktails and paired with fun international holiday appetizers.
If you’re looking for more ways to add a festive feel to your holidays also try this Spiked Eggnog Cocktail or a Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail.
It’s also a holiday favourite because:
- Simple to make. The hardest part is making the orange zest and that really isn’t that difficult. It’s as simple as measuring out your ingredients and brewing some fresh espresso to make this Spanish coffee drink.
- Full of holiday flavour. Orange and warming spices give this cocktail the perfect amount of festive cheer. The sweet orange pairs great with the rum and liquor 43 while the cinnamon, star anise, and clove give it hints of warmth.
- Perfect for parties. Its easy preparation and perfect pairing with an assortment of tapas or appetizers makes it the ideal cocktail party drink. It also can be used as a pre-dinner cocktail too.
- Versatile. Serve it as is or warm it up, depending on your mood. I love serving it with desserts such as bocado de reina (Guatemalan bread pudding) or champurrada cookies.
Ingredients
- Liquor 43: This Spanish liquor is smooth and sweet, with flavours of vanilla, citrus, and warm spices.
- Rum de Zacapa: This liquor brings a rich caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak essence to the drink which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the liquor 43 and the bold coffee flavours of the espresso.
- Spices: We are using whole spices in this recipe. You will need a star anise, small cinnamon stick, and a whole clove.
- Orange zest: You will need two strips of fresh orange zest. Make sure that you remove the white pith which is very bitter which may transfer to the drink if you don’t remove it.
- Double shot of espresso: For that bold and robust coffee flavour. You want that creamy foam that you get from fresh espresso.
Substitutions and Variations
- Mezcal for the Rum: If you don’t have the rum or can’t find it, mezcal makes a nice swap giving it Mexican flair. Or you can substitute brandy in Spanish style.
- Serve it Warm: Like my Christmas Tea and Bourbon Hot Toddy recipes, you can enjoy this drink warm. Skip the ice and mix the liquor with hot espresso for a drink that’s warm in temperature and flavour.
How to Make a Carajillo Cocktail
- Step 1: Cut your orange peel from your fresh orange and trim off any excess pith.
- Step 2: Pour the liquor 43 and rum into an Old Fashioned Glass.
- Step 3: Add the small cinnamon stick, one piece of orange peel with the whole clove inserted into it, and one star anise. Fill the glass with ice and stir.
- Step 4: Add your double shot of espresso coffee to glass by pouring it over the back of a spoon into the glass. This method keeps the creamy foam intact. Garnish with a twist of orange and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions and Expert Tips
- Use the Back of the Spoon: Pouring the espresso over the back of a spoon makes sure you keep the creamy frothiness of the espresso for the cocktail too.
- Cocktail Party Pairings: Enjoy your Christmas Carajillo with my Spanish Sardine Tapas or any other fun and tasty appetizer recipes you love.
- Dinner Party Pairings: Pre-dinner enjoy with appetizers followed by my Christmas Eve Salad, Russian Salad, and Spanish Chicken Stew or this Bacalao Salt Cod Stew. After dinner, serve it alongside some Chocolate Eggnog Cookies or this No-Bake Mango Pie.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating and a comment in the recipe card below! I’d love to hear how it turned out in your kitchen! Thanks!
Recipe
Christmas Carajillo Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Liquor 43
- ½ ounces Rum de Zacapa or mezcal
- Star anise small cinnamon stick, two 2-inch strips fresh orange zest, white pith removed ( one for garnish and the other with a whole clove inserted)
- 1 small Cinnamon stick
- 2 2-inch strips fresh orange zest with white pith removed
- 1 whole clove inserted into one piece of orange zest
- Ice
- Double shot of espresso
Instructions
- Pour liquor 43 and rum into Old Fashioned Glass.
- Add small cinnamon stick, one 2-inch strip of orange peel with whole clove inserted into it, one star anise.
- Fill with ice.
- Stir gently.
- Prepare double shot of espresso coffee and pour over back of spoon into glass, keeping the creamy foam intact.
- Garnish with twist of orange.
Notes
- Pouring the espresso over the back of a spoon makes sure you keep the creamy frothiness of the espresso for the cocktail too.
- If you don’t have the rum or can’t find it, mezcal makes a nice swap giving it a southern Mexico twist.
- Skip the ice and mix the liquor with hot espresso for a drink that’s warm in temperature and flavour.
Nutrition
FAQs
Both the Carajillo cocktail and the Espresso Martini feature coffee as a base, with the Carajillo originating in Spain and the Espresso Martini hailing from London. A Carajillo is simpler to prepare and calls for Licor 43 (rum or brandy) while an Espresso Martini usually features vodka, Kahlua and sugar syrup.
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Nicole Kendrick
I love all the holiday flavors in this cocktail. I can’t wait to serve it to everyone this year!
Oscar
I made this for a holiday get-together, and everyone loved the rich, spiced flavor. The orange and cloves gave it such a seasonal touch.
Claudia
I made the Christmas Carajillo cocktail, and it was such a cozy and festive drink.
Nora
I love an excellent coffee-based cocktail, and this tasted amazing! I will definitely make it again!
Juyali
I first tasted Carajillo when my Mexican friend made it for us, and wow – have I been obsessed ever since! This drink is smooth and so delicious with the coffee. Loved the festive vibe. Thanks for the easy recipe!