Carajill-o Fashioned Recipe

Make vanilla syrup

Combine 0.5 cup granulated sugar and 0.5 cup hot water in a heatproof container. Stir until sugar fully dissolves. Split and scrape 1 tsp vanilla bean seeds into the syrup (or stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract). Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Yields about 3/4 cup; use 0.25 oz per cocktail.

Chill glass & prepare ice

Place a rocks glass in the freezer or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail. Prepare one large clear ice cube or sphere and set aside.

Combine ingredients

Add 2 oz Socorro Añejo tequila, 0.5 oz Licor 43, 0.5 oz Luxardo espresso liqueur, 0.25 oz vanilla syrup, and 3 dashes xocolatl mole bitters into a mixing glass filled with plenty of ice.

Stir

Stir the mixture briskly for 30–45 seconds (about 20–30 revolutions) until properly chilled and diluted (approx. 15–20% dilution by eye).

Prepare glass

Discard the chilling ice/water from the rocks glass. Place the large ice cube or sphere into the chilled glass.

Strain

Double-strain the stirred cocktail into the rocks glass over the prepared large ice cube.

Express orange oil & garnish

Take the large orange peel and hold it skin-side down about 3–4 inches above the glass. Firmly pinch the peel to express the oils over the drink, passing the outer surface through the lip of the glass so a thin ribbon of peel rests on the ice as garnish. Rub the peel briefly on the glass rim for extra aroma if desired.

Prepare vanilla aroma

Place 0.5 tsp scraped vanilla seeds (or 0.5 tsp vanilla extract) onto a small heatproof spoon or glass vial. If using a spray bottle, combine the vanilla with 5 ml neutral high-proof spirit for atomization. For an optional theatrical effect, lightly soak a small cotton ball with 5 ml overproof rum (or use the spray) — do not pour spirit into the cocktail.

Serve with aroma

Present the finished cocktail to the guest. Immediately before handing it over, gently waft the vanilla aroma near the glass by either: a) quickly fanning the vanilla-scented spoon/vial under the guest's nose, or b) giving one short spritz of the vanilla + overproof mixture above (not into) the glass so the vanilla aroma lifts. If using a small lit flame for dramatics, do so with caution and avoid flaming near the drink or guest; extinguish flame before presenting.