Love Espresso Martinis? You Need to Try This Drink That Rivals It

Espresso martinis have taken over, offering a major boost of caffeine and a nice buzz all in one sip. But what if we told you there’s another cocktail that’s quickly becoming a go-to order? If you haven’t already met, we’d love to introduce you to the carajillo. It’s an incredibly popular order in Mexico, but it’s also starting to make waves in the U.S. 

Similar to an espresso martini, it involves a healthy amount of espresso—but that’s where their commonalities end. The carajillo is a super simple, two-ingredient cocktail that can be served hot or cold. Ergo, you can enjoy this one year-round.

TikToker-chef Jeremy Scheck (@scheckeats) shared a video making a cold glass of carajillo by shaking up the following ingredients with lots of ice.

• 2 shots of espresso 
• 1 ½  oz. Licor 43

@scheckeats 🇲🇽☕️😍#carajillo #coffee #espresso #licor43 #cocktail #cocktails #mexican #mexicanfood #espressomartini #espressomartinis ♬ Pennies From Heaven – Remastered – Louis Prima

James Pergola, Nespresso’s coffee expert, put his own spin on this boozy beverage. The Nespresso Carajillo Macchiato comprises the following ingredients:

• 1 capsule of Master Origins Mexico coffee or 2 capsules of Rio de Janeiro Espresso, cooled
• 1 ½ oz. Licor 43
• 2 oz. milk
• Ice
• Cinnamon 
• About ¼ cup of raw sugar (on a plate)

To make this one, you need to froth milk using some sort of frothing device. And don’t worry: the sugar is only for decoration. Wet the rim of your glass with a damp paper towel, and then dip it into the plate of sugar. After that, get out your shaker and combine the coffee or espresso with the Licor 43 and ice. Shake until cold and strain, and then top it all off with the cinnamon.

Courtesy of Amazon

As we enter the wonderfully brisk fall months, you can try this beloved concoction as a hot drink, too. All you need to do is follow the same directions above and leave the ice in your freezer. 

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