Why Ordering a Decaf Carajillo Is the Ultimate After-Dinner Move — and How to Make One at Home

I’ve spent the past few years on a quest to figure out my ideal post-meal beverage. There are two boxes that it must check: First, the drink needs to be slightly bitter to help with digestion, and second, it should be something you want to linger over, letting the final bits of conversation gently unfurl as condensation forms on the glass. And now that I have crossed the threshold of a certain age, it can’t be caffeinated. (I value sleep!) I rotated through several amari and quickly learned that an after-dinner brandy was not for me. I love the flavor of espresso martinis, but they can be a bit fussy to make, and I have a visceral dislike for clunky martini glasses. The solution? The carajillo, more specifically, the decaf carajillo. 

Frequently asked questions

What is a carajillo?

The carajillo is a simple cocktail from Mexico that is traditionally made from espresso and a Spanish liqueur called Licor 43, which gets its name from its mysterious ingredient list of 43 different botanicals but tastes mainly of citrus and vanilla. It ended up being my Goldilocks moment: just right. There are bitter notes from the espresso, and it’s fun to sip slowly. It’s also one of those drinks that you will order and everyone at the table will suddenly do the same. Most importantly, it can easily be made sans caffeine if a restaurant has decaf espresso or cold brew. 

How do you make a carajillo?

The version I had at Houston’s Navy Blue (recipe follows) is made with decaf espresso. For their caffeinated carajillo, they use housemade cold brew concentrate: “It allows for a robust coffee flavor without the bitterness you’d get from freshly pulled espresso,” says Crisia Araujo, the bar manager. Navy Blue also adds a couple of teaspoons of vodka (Cognac works here, too) to balance the sweetness of Licor 43. 

The carajillo is not always listed on cocktail menus across the country — something I am hoping will change rapidly — but as long as the bar has Licor 43 and espresso or coffee, they can easily make you one. If not, it’s a drink you can make in minutes as soon as you get home. — Khushbu Shah

Can I drink Licor 43 straight?

You can drink Licor 43 straight. Enjoy it as a shot, or sip on it chilled over ice. 

What other drinks can I make with Licor 43?

Besides a carajillo, Licor 43 is well suited to a lot of other cocktails. You can use it in piña coladas, sangria, or espresso martinis. 

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

You can find Licor 43 at most liquor stores or online retailers like wine.com. Using a cocktail strainer or a fine mesh strainer helps sift out any stray fragments from the cocktail for a presentation-ready drink. 

For a more of a pick-me-up carajillo, swap the decaffeinated cold brew with caffeinated.