Pumpkin Spice Carajillo

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A bold, spiced carajillo built on reposado tequila, Licor 43, and fresh espresso, rounded out with warm pumpkin spice syrup.

This cocktail is part of our Date Nite collection, made to be sipped while you cook together.

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INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 oz reposado tequila
1 1/2 oz Licor 43
1 1/2 oz fresh espresso
3/4 oz pumpkin spice syrup, see Notes from the Bar
Orange peel, for garnish
Star anise, for garnish

cocktail method

Add the tequila, Licor 43, espresso, and pumpkin spice syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
Garnish with an expressed orange peel and a star anise pod.

Notes from the Bar

Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.

PUMPKIN SPICE SYRUP

Whisk together 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and let steep for 15-20 minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve and refrigerate until chilled. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. This makes enough for several cocktails, double it if you're hosting.

FRESH ESPRESSO AT HOME

A fresh shot makes all the difference here, the espresso needs to hold its own against the tequila and Licor 43. We use a Breville Pro espresso machine, but a moka pot works just as well for a for rich, concentrated espresso without a full machine setup.

→ Shop our Breville Pro Espresso Machine

→ Shop our favorite Moka Pot

REPOSADO VS BLANCO

Reposado brings a soft oak and caramel note that plays beautifully with the pumpkin spice and espresso. Blanco will work in a pinch, but expect a sharper, more agave-forward drink.

EXPRESSING THE ORANGE PEEL

Hold the peel skin side down over the glass and give it a firm pinch to release the oils across the surface of the drink, then rub the rim before dropping it in. This is what gives the cocktail its aroma the moment it's picked up.

LEFTOVER SYRUP

Any extra pumpkin spice syrup is delicious stirred into coffee, whisked into a latte, or drizzled over pancakes and oatmeal. It keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks, so it's worth making the full batch even if you're only mixing one round of cocktails.

Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.

A ritual we return to

Our cocktails are part of something bigger for us. They’re the beginning of Date Nite, a connection-centered experience we created to help you slow down, share a meal, and enjoy time with the one you love.

Each Date Nite is thoughtfully planned for you, so you are not stuck deciding what to cook or how to pull the night together. We pair one cocktail with a complete menu, a simple flow from prep to plate, and small details that make the evening feel easy and connected from start to finish.

It is not about perfection. It is about presence, and creating space to reconnect, whether that is with your partner or simply with yourself, over a really good meal.

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