Carajillo
Carajillo [ kaɾaˈxiʎo ] is a Spanish alcoholic espresso mixed drink.
Its origin goes back to the Spanish colonial history of Cuba. The soldiers of the colonial troops mixed coffee with rum to gain courage (coraje in Spanish, meaning "corajillo" and more recently "carajillo").
Today, Carajillo usually means an espresso with brandy (Spanish brandy ). But other spirits such as rum , whiskey or liqueurs made from anise , such as “ Licor 43 ”, are quite common for a Carajillo. It is mostly served in a small, fireproof glass.
The easiest way to prepare a carajillo is to pour the brandy into the finished espresso. But connoisseurs prefer the variant “quemado” (= burnt, burnt), whereby the brandy is heated with a piece of lemon peel and some coffee beans with the steam nozzle of the espresso machine and then lit. Sugar is caramelized in the flame with the help of a spoon and added. Finally, the still burning mixture is placed under the espresso machine and extinguished with the coffee.
Another type of Carajillo, especially popular in summer, is the “Café del tiempo” (coffee of the season). A carajillo made with aniseed liqueur is usually served with a glass of ice cubes . The carajillo is sweetened to taste and then poured into the glass with ice cubes.
Although the Carajillo is a very alcoholic and strong drink, it is drunk in Spain at any time of the day; also for breakfast or after dinner .
