If you enjoy coffee, tequila, and a drink that works just as well after dinner as it does on a cool evening, a Mexican coffee cocktail is worth trying. The name can refer to a few different coffee-based drinks, but the most familiar version combines hot coffee with tequila and coffee liqueur, usually Kahlúa, then finishes the drink with cream or whipped cream and a little cinnamon.
The carajillo is another Mexican coffe cocktail that had become especially popular in Mexico. This version is usually made with espresso, Licor 43 and ice. Rather than severed as a steaming mug of spiked coffee, it is served cold, strong and sweeter.
So, if you searched for a Mexican coffee cocktail because you want to know what it is, it taste or how to make it at home, the important thing to know is that there is more than one version. In this article you will find the classic hot recipe, the popular Mexican carajillo, useful alternatives serving ideas and answers to common questions.
What Is a Mexican Coffee Cocktail?
A Mexican coffee cocktail is a coffe based alcoholic drink that typically combines coffee, coffee liqueur and a bit of tequila. The hot version is usually served in a mug and topped with cream or whipped cream. Cinnamon is the common finishing touch.
One of the well known recipe from Kahlua uses equal parts Kahlua, brewed coffee and tequila, followed by a double portion of cream. The drink is served hot, fixed directly from the mug.
The combination works because each ingredient contributes something different. Coffee brings bitterness and roasted flavour, tequila adds warmth and character, while coffee liqueur provides sweetness. Cream softens the sharper flavours and gives the drink a richer texture.
If you want a simpler version, you can mix coffee liqueur, hot coffee and tequila, then add whipped cream and cinnamon. It requires very little preparation because the result is closer to traditional spiked coffee.
Mexican Coffee Cocktail Ingredients
You don’t need a polished bar setup to make this drink. The classic hot version can be prepared with a small amount of ingredients.
Coffee
Since coffee is one of the main flavors, use freshly brewed reasonably strong coffee. Weak and stale coffee cam make the taste flat.
Fresh espresso can also work, although brewed coffee gives you more volume and produces a lighter drink.
Tequila
A blanco tequila is a good choice because it has a clean, noticeable character without adding the heavier oak flavours associated with aged tequila.
You do not need an expensive bottle. A decent 100% agave tequila that you enjoy drinking on its own is enough.
Coffee Liqueur
Kahlua adds sweetness and a deeper coffee flavor to the drink. It is a common choice and is specifically used in several Mexican coffee recipes.
You can use another coffee liqueur if that is what you have available. Consider that different brands vary in sweetness, alcohol strength and coffee flavour, so you may need to adjust the amount.
Cream or Whipped Cream
Cream makes the cocktail smoother and helps balance the bitterness of the coffee.
For an easier home version, whipped cream works particularly well. It also gives the drink the familiar coffee taste and appearance.
Cinnamon
A small sprinkle of ground cinnamon provides warmth and blends naturally with both tequila and coffee
You might also want to add a cinnamon stick to the mug for extra aroma.
Classic Mexican Coffee Cocktail Recipe
Here is a straightforward version for one serving.
Ingredients
- 30 ml Kahlua or another coffee liqueur
- 30 ml tequila
- 30 ml freshly brewed hot coffee
- 60 ml cream
- Ice, if desired for chilling the glass
- Whipped cream, optional
- Ground cinnamon, for garnish
The proportions above follow Kahlua’s published Mexican Coffee Cocktail recipe, which uses the same parts coffee liqueur, tequila and brewed coffee, followed by two equal portion of cream.
Method
- Warm your mug.
Fill a heat-resistant mug with hot water and leave it for a few minutes. Empty the water before making the cocktail. Warming the mug helps the finished drink stay hot for a long period of time.
- Add the spirits.
Pour the coffee liqueur and tequila into the warm mug.
- Add the coffee.
Pour in the freshly brewed coffee and stir gently.
- Add the cream.
Pour the cream over the top. You can either stir it through completely or leave some on the surface.
- Garnish.
Fianlly, add whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon if you want a richer dessert-style drink.
Serve immediately while the coffee is still hot.
How Does Mexican Coffee Taste?
The flavour depends heavily on the quantity you use, but a proper Mexican coffee cocktail is usually sweet, rich, warming and strong.
The coffee provides a roasted bitterness, while the coffee liqueur adds sweetness and another layer of coffee flavour. Tequila gives the drink a mild alcoholic heat and an earthy agave character.
Cream makes the cocktail softer and more dessert-like.
If you prefer coffee without much sweetness, reduce the amount of coffee liqueur or use less cream. If you enjoy sweeter drinks, whipped cream and a little cinnamon make an easy finishing touch.
Mexican Coffee Cocktail vs. Carajillo
These drinks are related, but they are not the same.
A Mexican coffee cocktail generally refers to the hot drink made with coffee, tequila and coffee liqueur, often finished with cream.
A carajillo, on the other hand has become one of Mexico’s best-known coffee cocktails. In the Mexican style that is now particularly associated with the drink, espresso is combined with Licor 43 and ice. The ingredients are commonly shaken together and strained over fresh ice.
There is no single universal recipe for every drink called a Mexican coffee cocktail. Recipes differs between bars, restaurants and home kitchens.
What Is a Mexican Carajillo?
The carajillo deserves special attention because it is now strongly associated with coffee cocktails in Mexico.
The Mexican version commonly combines Licor 43 and espresso over ice. It is a sweet Spanish liqueur with a distinctive vanilla-like and spiced taste. The combination of sweet liqueur and bitter espresso creates a balanced drink that can be enjoyed as an after dinner cocktail.
Licor 43’s own recipe calls for 50 ml of Licor 43, one hot espresso and ice. The ingredients are shaken together and strained into a glass filled with ice.
Recent Mexican coverage also describes espresso, Licor 43 and ice as the combination most people in Mexico now associate with a carajillo.
How to Make a Simple Carajillo
For one serving, you need:
- 50 ml Licor 43
- 1 hot espresso
- Ice
Pour the Licor 43 into a cocktail shaker.
Add the espresso and a handful of ice.
Shake until chilled, then strain over fresh ice.
If you do not have a shaker, add everything directly to a rocks glass filled with ice and stir well.
The finished drink is sweeter and more concentrated than the hot Mexican coffee cocktail.
Where Did the Carajillo Come From?
The history of the carajillo is not completely settled.
The drink exists in several Spanish speaking countries and can be made with different spirits. In Mexico, versions made with coffee liqueur, Licor 43 or mezcal can be found easily.
There are also several stories about how the name originated. One popular legend connects the drink with workers or soldiers who combined coffee and alcohol for courage. The exact historical origin, however is not certain.
What is clearer is how the drink developed in Mexico. The modern Mexican carajillo became associated with espresso and Licor 43, and it is now widely served in restaurants and bars as an after dinner drink.
Can You Use Kahlúa Instead of Licor 43?
Yes.
Kahlua and Licor 43 produce different results, so the substitution changes the character of the cocktail.
Kahlua gives you a pronounced coffee flavour and noticeable sweetness. Licor 43 has a sweeter, more vanilla-forward and spiced profile, which creates the flavour associated with the modern Mexican carajillo.
If you want a hot, creamy coffee drink, Kahlua and tequila are a natural combination.
If you want a cold, strong after dinner cocktail, espresso and Licor 43 make a good starting point.
You can also experiment with tequila and Kahlua over ice if you prefer a colder drink.
How to Make the Cocktail Less Sweet
Coffee when mixed with cream and whipped cream can make a cocktail quite sweet.
However, if you prefer a less sweet version, start by reducing the coffee liqueur slightly. Use strong coffee to maintain the drink’s flavour, and avoid sweetened whipped cream.
Another option is to make a carajillo using espresso and Licor 43. Because the drink is served over ice and contains no cream, it has a cleaner, sharper finish.
A small pinch of salt can also make coffee flavours taste more pronounced, although it should be used sparingly.
Can You Add Cinnamon?
Absolutely.
Cinnamon works particularly well with coffee, tequila and sweet liqueurs. The easiest method is to sprinkle a small amount over the cream or whipped cream.
For a stronger cinnamon aroma, place a cinnamon stick in the mug while the drink is hot.
You can also incorporate cinnamon into the coffee itself. Mexican coffee recipes sometimes use cinnamon as part of the brewing process. One example combines coffee with cocoa and cinnamon before brewing and then adds coffee liqueur and whipped cream.
A Mexican Coffee Cocktail With Cafe de Olla Flavours
If you want a more distinctly Mexican interpretation, consider using cafe de olla as the coffee base.
Cafe de olla is a traditional Mexican coffee preparation associated with ingredients such as cinnamon, piloncillo or unrefined cane sugar, and sometimes orange peel and other spices.
It can give a coffee cocktail a deeper spice taste than ordinary brewed coffee.
One cocktail interpretation combines cafe de olla with tequila and Kahlua. The coffee is infused with cinnamon, clove, star anise and orange peel before being combined with the spirits.
This is a good option when you want something that tastes more distinctive than simply adding tequila to ordinary coffee.
Best Time to Serve Mexican Coffee Cocktails
A hot Mexican coffee cocktail works especially well after dinner.
The coffee and alcohol make it strong enough to take the place of both a dessert drink and an after dinner coffee. It can also be served at a dinner party when guests want something warm and slightly indulgent.
The carajillo is more versatile in warm weather because it is served cold over ice. It is particularly suited to a late afternoon or evening when you want coffee without a steaming mug.
If you’re planning to enjoy one while visiting Mexico, it’s also worth checking the legal drinking age in Mexico before ordering alcoholic drinks.
Because both versions contain alcohol and caffeine, they are better treated as cocktails rather than ordinary coffee.
Tips for Making a Better Mexican Coffee Cocktail
Use good coffee
You do not need the most expensive coffee available. You do need coffee that you genuinely enjoy drinking.
A freshly brewed medium or medium dark roast can work well because it has enough body to stand up to the spirits.
Do not drown the coffee in cream
Cream should complement the coffee rather than completely hide it.
If you prefer a strong coffee flavour, start with less cream and add more only if necessary.
Warm the mug first
This small step makes a noticeable difference with hot coffee cocktails. A cold mug will draw heat from the drink quickly.
Kahlua specifically recommends warming the mug with boiling water before preparing its Mexican Coffee Cocktail.
Shake cold versions properly
For a carajillo, shaking is more than a way to mix the ingredients. It chills the drink and helps combine the espresso and liqueur.
Licor 43 recommends shaking the espresso, liqueur and ice together before straining over fresh ice.
Taste before adding extra sugar
Coffee liqueurs are already sweet. Adding sugar without tasting the drink first can easily make the cocktail too sweet.
If you want more sweetness, add a small amount after tasting.
Easy Variations to Try
There is plenty of room to adapt the basic recipe.
Spiced Mexican Coffee
Add a small amount of cinnamon to the coffee before combining it with tequila and coffee liqueur.
For more spice, a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg can work, although cinnamon should remain the dominant flavour.
Creamy Mexican Coffee
Follow the classic hot recipe and finish it with whipped cream. Add cinnamon on top.
This is the most dessert-like version and works particularly well after a meal.
Iced Mexican Coffee
Allow strong coffee to cool, then combine it with tequila and coffee liqueur over ice.
Add a small amount of cream if you like your iced coffee creamy.
Mexican Coffee Martini
Use espresso, tequila and coffee liqueur as the foundation of a shaken cocktail. Shake the ingredients vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
This is closer to an espresso martini than the traditional hot Mexican coffee, but the Mexican spirits give it a different character.
Cafe de Olla Cocktail
Prepare strongly spiced cafe de olla, chill it, then combine it with tequila and coffee liqueur.
Cinnamon, orange peel and other warm spices can give the drink a distinctive Mexican coffee profile.
What to Serve With Mexican Coffee
A Mexican coffee cocktail is naturally suited to desserts.
Try it with:
- Churros
- Chocolate cake
- Flan
- Cinnamon pastries
- Chocolate brownies
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel desserts
- Sweet Mexican pastries
For a less sweet pairing, serve the cocktail with dark chocolate or a lightly sweet pastry.
The bitterness of the coffee can help balance desserts that contain caramel, chocolate or cream.
Is Mexican Coffee the Same as Cafe de Olla?
No.
Cafe de olla is a traditional Mexican coffee preparation, while Mexican coffee cocktails contain alcohol.
Cafe de olla is commonly associated with coffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo, along with other possible spices and aromatics. It can be enjoyed on its own without alcohol.
A Mexican coffee cocktail takes coffee and combines it with spirits or liqueurs.
The two can, however, be combined.
Using cafe de olla as the coffee component of a cocktail is a good way to bring more Mexican coffee flavours into the drink.
Conclusion
A Mexican coffee cocktail is a simple drink with several directions you can take. The classic hot version brings together coffee, tequila and coffee liqueur, with cream and cinnamon providing a richer finish. It is warm, sweet and well suited to an evening at home or an after-dinner drink.
If you are looking for the Mexican coffee cocktail most strongly associated with modern Mexican bar culture, try a carajillo made with espresso, Licor 43 and ice. It is considerably different from the hot version, but the combination of bitter coffee and sweet liqueur is what makes it so appealing.
Whichever version you choose to go with, start with good coffee, measure the alcohol carefully and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste. The best recipe is usually the one that allows the coffee to remain noticeable while the tequila or liqueur adds depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is in a Mexican coffee cocktail?
A classic hot Mexican coffee cocktail usually contains brewed coffee, tequila and coffee liqueur. Cream or whipped cream and cinnamon are common additions. One established recipe uses equal parts Kahlua, tequila and coffee, followed by twice as much cream.
- What alcohol goes in Mexican coffee?
Tequila is commonly used in the hot Mexican coffee cocktail. Coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua, is also an important ingredient. Mexican carajillos are commonly made with Licor 43 and espresso.
- Is a Mexican carajillo served hot or cold?
The Mexican carajillo associated with espresso and Licor 43 is generally served cold over ice. The espresso may be hot when it is added to the shaker, but the finished cocktail is chilled before serving.
- Can I make Mexican coffee without tequila?
Yes. You can leave out the tequila and make a coffee drink using coffee and coffee liqueur, or replace the alcohol entirely with a non-alcoholic coffee syrup. The flavour will be different from the traditional cocktail.
- What coffee is best for a Mexican coffee cocktail?
Freshly brewed, full-bodied coffee works well for the hot version. For a carajillo, espresso is the traditional choice in the popular Mexican preparation with Licor 43.
- Is Mexican coffee the same as a carajillo?
Not exactly. Mexican coffee cocktail is a broader description that can refer to several alcoholic coffee drinks. A carajillo is a specific style of coffee-and-alcohol drink, and the Mexican version is particularly associated with espresso, Licor 43 and ice.
