Everything You Need to Know About the Carajillo
The Espresso Martini has long ruled summer happy hours thanks to its titillating combination of caffeine and alcohol. Its reign, however, has come to an end. The Carajillo, once a hidden gem in Spain and Mexico, is being hailed as the new monarch of coffee-adjacent cocktails on food, liquor, and cocktail blogs. Built around the Spanish liqueur Licor 43, it delivers a similar buzz to its predecessor but with a lower ABV and no additional sweeteners, making it a lighter and, dare we say, healthier alternative. And with just two ingredients, it's easy to see what summer's buzziest cocktail is all about for yourself.
For a richer, more spirit-forward version, try swapping the Licor 43 for a spiced rum or a quality tequila.