AY CARAJILLO!
INGREDIENTS
Preparation Time: 8 mins.
- 1.5 oz Sotol
- 1.5 oz Apple syrup
- 2 oz Espresso (freshly brewed)
- 1 oz Evaporated milk
- Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
- Ice cubes (optional)
METHOD / ALCHEMY Carajillo
- Prepare the Espresso: Brew 2 oz of fresh espresso and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the sotol, apple syrup, espresso, and evaporated milk.
- Shake: Add ice cubes to the shaker if you prefer your Carajillo chilled. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until well mixed and chilled.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into a glass. You can serve it over ice cubes if you want it cold, or without ice if you prefer it warm.
- Garnish: Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your Apple Ay Carajillo!
Serve and enjoy!
From Juniper Hills to Desert Plateaus
Imagine wandering through a sun-drenched agave field in northern Mexico, then stepping into a fragrant juniper grove in the Mediterranean—each sip of your Carajillo can take you there.
With gin’s bright pine and citrus greeting your palate first, Sotol Blanco’s earthy warmth carries you onward, like two old friends swapping stories over coffee.
Distinction in a Glass
There’s something genuinely special about how these spirits play off each other.
Gin brings the elegance of a garden in bloom—lavender, citrus peel, and soft florals—while Sotol Blanco taps into the rugged side of nature: grassy, smoky, with a hint of mineral salt under the tongue.
Together, they tease out every note of your espresso’s bittersweet charm.
Carajillo Flavor Bridges: Gin & Sotol Blanco
Next time you mix a Carajillo, try a ¾ oz pour of each spirit. First, the juniper whispers warm hints of pine; then Sotol steps in with its desert-born depth.
It’s like watching a sunset: the sky shifts from copper to deep indigo, and every layer is more beautiful than the last.
Carajillo Pairing Possibilities
Gin‑forward Carajillo: A bright lemon twist and a sprig of thyme make it feel like spring in a glass.
Sotol‑dominant Carajillo: Add a dash of mole bitters and a cinnamon stick, and it’s cozy autumn nights by the fire.
Hybrid Serve: Top it off with a single coffee ice cube—watch how each melt teases out hidden aromas as you sip.
Bartender’s Dual Tips
Choose your glass: A chilled rocks tumbler lets gin’s crispness sing; a thick, lowball vessel grounds Sotol’s rustic spirit.
Mind the ice: Big clear cubes melt slower, so you can savor every drop without it watering down those delicate botanicals or smoky notes.
Garnish with intention: Twist a citrus peel for gin’s freshness, or perch a rosemary sprig—its piney aroma feels like a walk through the desert just before dawn.
