Most people associate drinks with summer parties, days by the pool, sun and heat, but as you can imagine, Andalusia with its winter magic has Spanish recipes for drinks to warm you up.
The Spanish coffee cocktail, also known as carajillo, has been keeping people in southern Spain for years, and with this recipe, you will be able to enjoy it at home.
Read this article to learn how to make a carajillo, with expert tips for customizing, serving, and storing.
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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish recipes? Have a look at my other posts:
- Old Spanish cocktail
- Spanish wine cocktail
- Sherry cocktail
Background of the Dish
The Spanish coffee cocktail dates back to the 19th century when Spanish soldiers stationed in Cuba during the Spanish-Cuban War (1895-1898) would mix rum or brandy with coffee to keep themselves warm and energized.
Over time, it saw many changes, and once the soldiers returned to their homeland, the Licor 43 -a classic Spanish vanilla and citrus liqueur- was incorporated.
Today, it is a popular alcoholic beverage served during the colder months, occasionally with a dollop of whipped cream on top to add more richness and creaminess.
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Things You’ll Need for Spanish Coffee Cocktail
To prepare the Spanish coffee cocktail you will need your favorite coffee, Licor 43, brandy or rum, whipped cream, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
- 1 oz (30 ml) Licor 43 (a Spanish vanilla and citrus-flavored liqueur)
- 1 oz (30 ml) brandy or rum
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional for added sweetness)
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
How to Make Spanish Coffee Cocktail – Step by Step Guide
- For the first step in this Spanish coffee cocktail recipe, brew your favorite coffee. To complement the richness of the liquor, we recommend a strong and flavorful coffee, such as a dark roast or espresso, for this drink.
- Now, pour the coffee, liquor, and brandy into a jug or cocktail shaker and stir gently, just enough to combine. Add the brown sugar and dissolve it for more sweetness.
- After that, distribute the drink evenly in between 2 mugs (each should be able to hold 120ml). Top each mug with a tablespoon of whipped cream, for a rich and creamy layer to the best coffee cocktail.
- For the next step, lightly sprinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg (optional) on top of the carajillo.
- To finish the carajillo cocktail recipe, serve it warm and enjoy.
Substitution of Ingredients
We love this recipe for Spanish coffee cocktails because it encapsulates the flavors and the spirits of winter: the warmth of freshly brewed coffee, the smooth sweetness of Licor 43, the richness of brandy or rum, and the comforting creaminess of whipped cream.
If this Spanish coffee recipe seems too bitter for you, then you can draw inspiration from the coquito recipe and add around 30 ml of warm coconut milk per mug.
The ground cinnamon and nutmeg are what warm your soul in this carajillo drink recipe, but you could switch them for cocoa powder or pumpkin spice during fall.
Are you ready to go beyond carajillo recipes?
Then, we have the perfect drinks for you to try, starting with the fermented pineapple drink and the fruity Spanish drink, without forgetting about the classic gazpacho alcoholic drink.
Tips on Serving Spanish Coffee Cocktail
This Spanish coffee cocktail is commonly served after any meal or during the afternoon, and since it is warm, people enjoy it most during the winter or fall.
The difference between this Spanish coffee cocktail and the traditional carajillo coffee recipe is that it calls for a dollop of whipped cream as a topping, which you can avoid if you are vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply don’t like it.
However, if you can have whipped cream, we encourage you to include it, as it takes this hot coffee cocktail to a whole new level, adding a decadent finish to every sip.
Apart from the cream and spices, you can top the Spanish coffee cocktail with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or caramel syrup to play with the flavors.
Are you in the search for Spanish drinks to cool you down? We have the perfect solution, with the Spanish summer drink, the fantastic sangria, and the classic tinto de verano.
How to Store Spanish Coffee Cocktail
Different from other Andalusian beverages, like the kalimotxo and the agua de Valencia, there are some ways to store the Spanish coffee cocktail.
If you want to prepare it ahead of time, you can brew the coffee and keep it for a few hours at room temperature, or in the fridge where it can last up to 3 days.
When ready to serve, reheat the coffee -in the microwave or at the stove- until warm and complete the other steps of the best carajillo recipe.
Recipe Card: Spanish Coffee Cocktail
Spanish Coffee Cocktail Recipe
Most people associate drinks with summer parties, days by the pool, sun and heat, but as you can imagine, Andalusia with its winter magic has recipes for drinks to warm you up.
The Spanish coffee cocktail, also known as carajillo, has been keeping people in southern Spain for years, and with this recipe, you will be able to enjoy it at home.
Read this article to learn how to make a carajillo, with expert tips for customizing, serving, and storing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
- 1 oz (30 ml) Licor 43 (a Spanish vanilla and citrus-flavored liqueur)
- 1 oz (30 ml) brandy or rum
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional for added sweetness)
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Brew your favorite coffee. To complement the richness of the liquor, we recommend a strong and flavorful coffee, such as a dark roast or espresso, for this drink.
- Pour the coffee, liquor, and brandy into a jug or cocktail shaker and stir gently, just enough to combine. Add the brown sugar and dissolve it for more sweetness.
- Distribute the drink evenly in between 2 mugs (each should be able to hold 120ml). Add a tablespoon of whipped cream on top of each mug. This will give a rich and creamy layer to the Spanish coffee drink.
- To continue with the Spanish coffee recipe, lightly sprinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg (optional) on top.
- Serve the Spanish coffee cocktail warm and enjoy.
Notes
The nutmeg is optional in the carajillo recipe, but it adds a cosy seasonal flavour to this winter dinner.
If you are used to a lighter coffee, then you can add a bit of warm milk to this Spanish cocktail (around 30ml per mug).
If you don't like brown sugar, you can sweeten the Spanish coffee cocktail with white granulated sugar or artificial sweetener.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 79Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 2mgSodium 4mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 0gSugar 6gProtein 0g
All information presented and written are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. The writers and publishers of visitsouthernspain.com are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. Statements within this site have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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