Mezcal Carajillo

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 30 ml Licor 43
- 30 ml Mezcal
- 45 ml Fresh Espresso

GARNISH:
- Orange Twist

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish with an orange twist.

Cocktail author: I got this recipe from Steve the Bartender, although different versions are available online.

Carajillo is a delightfully simple and delicious coffee cocktail, that seems to be attracting more and more attention these days. Mezcal Carajillo is a simple riff giving this drink a smoky Latin American spin.

With these particular specs it is quite difficult to point out a base spirit/ingredient, although the cocktail is built around the classic Carajillo combo of fresh espresso and vanilla liqueur (Licor 43). While keeping this in mind, I would argue that espresso is the star of this cocktail with delicately bitter, savoury and nutty flavours. It is then paired with vanilla forward liqueur complemented by subtle botanical and citrus undertones. Mezcal gives the cocktail a high proof punch imparting smoky, vegetal agave notes bolstering the overall complexity.

All in all, Mezcal Carajillo is a simple way to spice up your classic Carajillo and open the doors for endless further riffs by substituting ingredients and testing new ideas. I highly recommend giving this drink a chance.

Source material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sre_qWri020