We need better brunch cocktails. I found another perfect one.
Mimosas are wildly overrated and Bloody Marys are too savory. I need boozy caffeine on a late Saturday morning.
I’ve made my feelings known about brunch many times throughout my life. I won’t delve into them on this occasion, but I’ve always thought that the bridge between breakfast and lunch can sometimes become a complicated monstrosity. There’s too much pomp, circumstance, and pageantry for a meal best enjoyed with comfort, relaxation, and good company.
Think of going to Spotify and starting a playlist based on Mya’s “Best of Me” remix featuring Jay-Z.
Brunch should never be difficult, and options for coffee and coffee-like beverages should always be available.
Years ago, I opined for a Cold Brew Old Fashioned to take its rightful place alongside a Mimosa, Bellini, Irish Coffee, or Bloody Mary. Combine coffee liqueur, rye whiskey, and orange bitters, then serve it like a traditional cocktail. You’re welcome.
From February 2022:
It’s undeniably good coffee but with the proper punch from the rye whiskey while the bitters help amplify those bitter, floral and nutty notes that good coffee provides. After two of these, you’ll be sufficiently caffeinated while feeling fine with a belly full of French toast, French omelette and croissants.
Three years later, I was faced with another brunch decision. I wanted to do something different. Mother’s Day was approaching, and I decided to host a brunch for the women in my life to show my appreciation.
Their request: a brunch drink on the menu.
I asked my wife if she had any drink preferences for the brunch, and she quickly replied, “Ooh! Espresso martinis!”
This would be a good option, and most people would simply listen and fulfill the request. However, I wanted to elevate the request into something different. Since I am original, I went to Google to seek help.
That’s when I found the Carajillo cocktail.
This drink is incredibly simple yet remarkably punchy and velvety good. The version I perfected at home follows the Mexican style, using equal parts strong espresso and Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur that supposedly has 43 ingredients. However, all you need to know is that it tastes like a boozy, buttery Chessman cookie with hints of herbs and citrus. Other variations mix espresso or coffee with brandy, rum, or tequila, but this one is by far the best. Oh, and if you’re avoiding caffeine, a decaf espresso or coffee version also tastes excellent.
The finished cocktail sips like an old fashioned but feels more approachable, almost like a breakfast dessert in a glass. It’s a perfect pairing for brunch because all our favorite dishes are essentially breakfast desserts: French toast, waffles, pancakes, etc., are just sweet, starchy mounds of goodness topped with butter, fruit, and syrup.
Most importantly, the women loved it, and I made two servings for everyone. The turn-up was once again successful.
Recipe: Carajillo
Serve: Old fashioned glass
Garnish: Orange wedge or shaved chocolate or Edible chocolate-covered espresso beans (this is a fancy choice, only do this if you feel like going all out.)
Ingredients:
2 oz of room temperature strong espresso OR cold brew (I made about 12 ounces of espresso ahead of time. Prepare accordingly.)
2 oz of Licor 43
Make: Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and strain into an ice-filled glass. (I’d recommend using a big cube block or sphere) Garnish with shaved chocolate or beans.
The beauty here lies in its simplicity. The Licor 43 does all the heavy lifting, while the freshly made espresso serves as the fuel. The recommendation for strong espresso is crucial; you want something bold to stand up to the Licor 43 to ensure optimal complexity rather than a flatter drink.
I did not invent this drink. It’s literally over a century old. But it’s baffling that a drink like this isn’t more available on menus. When it is on a menu, it usually sells for around $15 at a brunch eatery.
You can make this at home for your own enjoyment, or show off like I did in front of a crowd. (I love showing off in front of a crowd, it’s kind of my thing.) Make this at home on a Saturday at noon with waffles or on a Saturday night before you hit the streets. It works well in either setting. You’re welcome.
I might give this a try, sounds good 👌🏽
i love this.