2023 Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 7 – Café Fuerte. I’m continuing on my crusade to present coffee-based cocktails that are better than the espresso martini. This spicy, spirited libation borrows inspiration from the Carajillo – a popular Mexican cocktail featuring espresso and Licor 43.
Licor 43 is known for its citrus, vanilla flavour with underlying notes of spice. Instead of having you run out to get a new bottle you might not find frequent use for, I wanted to recreate the taste with ingredients you’ll get more mileage out of, including a showstopper tequila – Elevación1250.
This post is sponsored by Elevación1250.
In my view, Elevación1250 is one of the best tequilas on the market. Fourth generation female master distiller, Iliana Partida has delivered a blanco so refined it can be sipped neat but also works wonders in cocktails like this one.
Unlike the spate of celebrity tequilas now on the market, most of which taste like artificial vanilla thanks to the use of flavour additives, Elevación1250 is a 100% additive-free blanco. Its produced in the Tequila Valley where the agave plants benefit from the mineral-rich volcanic soil.
With notes of cooked agave and a mineral-forward taste, this is a very approachable blanco for sipping but also kick-ass in cocktails like this one. Combined with with fresh espresso, spicy clementine cordial, a touch of vanilla liqueur, and a cinnamon stick for garnish, Elevación1250 sings in this coffee cocktail.
Elevación1250 is a Canadian-owned tequila company and in the interest of giving back to the community in which they operate, the founders have given 5% of the company to the Jimadors, agave farmers, who work in the distillery.
If you live in Ottawa, you’ve probably seen Elevación1250 stocked at your favourite bars and restaurants. When you do, order a cocktail with it and discover the sheer versatility of this fantastic tequila.
Be sure to tune into my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern for a step-by-step tutorial on how to create this Café Fuerte.
Cheers, friends!
Café Fuerte
In my view, Elevación1250 is one of the best tequilas on the market. Fourth generation female master distiller, Iliana Partida has delivered a blanco so refined it can be sipped neat but also works wonders in cocktails like this one.
- 1 oz Elevación1250 tequila
- ½ oz Galliano vanilla liqueur
- 1½ oz fresh espresso
- ½ oz spicy clementine cordial
- Garnish: cinnamon stick
- 8 limes peeled and juiced (approx. 4 oz lime juice)
- 4 clementines peeled and juiced (approx. 4 oz clementine juice)
- 2- inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and chopped
- 6 cracked cardamom pods
- 1 Thai chili diced
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
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Add ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
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Strain into a rocks glass over a king cube.
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Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
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Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan (including all citrus peels) over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently.
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Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until syrup is slightly thickened.
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Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
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Remove solids and fine strain into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
