How to Make a Barraquito (Step-by-Step Guide)
Every step matters, and when you get it right, it looks stunning in the glass and tastes like a dessert and espresso. I’ll walk you through exactly how I make mine at home, layer by layer.
Equipment
- Clear glass or small latte glass – transparency is key to show off those beautiful layers
- Espresso machine or moka pot – whichever method gives you a rich, strong shot
- Milk frother or steam wand – you’ll want foam with a velvety texture
- Teaspoon or long spoon – for slowing down your pour and layering like a pro
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk – thick and sweet, this forms the base layer
- 1 ounce Licor 43 – a Spanish vanilla-citrus liqueur that brings warmth and sweetness
- 1 shot of espresso – strong and fresh, preferably from an espresso machine or moka pot
- 2–3 tablespoons frothed milk – airy but stable, enough to form the top
- Lemon zest (optional) – just a pinch adds brightness
- Ground cinnamon – for garnish and a bit of spice
Instructions
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Start by spooning about two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of your glass. Because it’s dense, it’ll sit at the bottom without much effort. Make sure it’s evenly spread to create a nice, solid first layer.
- Add Licor 43: Next comes the Licor 43. You hold a spoon just above the condensed milk, rounded side down, and gently pour the liqueur over the back of it. This keeps the layers from mixing. You’ll start to see a golden band sitting on top of the milk.
- Add Espresso: Brew your espresso shot and let it sit for about 10 seconds. This reduces the crema a bit, making it easier to pour cleanly. Again, pour it slowly over the back of your spoon. The espresso should rest on top of the Licor 43 without diving in too fast.
- Add Frothed Milk: Now take your frothed milk. Whether from a steam wand or handheld frother and spoon in only the foam. This creates that fluffy white top layer. Also, don’t pour too fast, or it’ll break the layers below. Think of it like placing a soft cloud on top of your drink.
- Garnish: Top it all off with a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon and, if you like, a few curls of lemon zest. The cinnamon adds warmth, and the lemon zest gives it a fresh, unexpected twist.