Coffee is one of the most versatile beverages. Espresso, filter coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, ristretto, doppio, lungo, and foamy coffee – almost every country has developed its own style of coffee over time. And one of them comes from Spain: Barraquito coffee. Those who know it love it; those who don't will now learn what a Barraquito is.
Barraquito coffee – history and origins
Barraquito coffee originates from the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain, and is a very popular coffee specialty there. The original recipe is made with a shot – that is, with alcohol. The Barraquito also looks impressive, as it is usually prepared in layers. Of course, there is also a "legend" about the origin of the Barraquito: A man named Barraquito ordered a Cortado every morning in his favorite bar (you can find out more about the Cortado here) . However, he always modified it. He wanted condensed milk and Licor 43 with it. And so this order quickly became known as the Barraquito. The legend does not say whether the man mixed the three ingredients, layered them, or even drank them separately. But that is not important, because today the drink with the layers of coffee, condensed milk, and Licor 43 is called Barraquito and is one of the most popular coffee mixes in the Canary Islands.
Barraquito coffee – the original recipe
Since there is a recipe for the drink, you need the following:
- 50 ml sweetened condensed milk
- 60 ml Liqueur 43
- approx. 30-50 ml strong coffee or 1 freshly brewed espresso
- 100 ml milk (foamed)
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
- 1 lemon peel
And this is how the Barraquito is prepared:
- Pour the condensed milk into a glass
- Let the Liqueur 43 run slowly over the back of a spoon onto the condensed milk (so that the liqueur layer does not mix with the condensed milk)
- Likewise, you then let the espresso run slowly over the spoon onto the liqueur (this creates layer no. 3 in the best case).
- Now comes the final view: milk foam
- Sprinkle some cinnamon over it and garnish with a slice of lemon zest
Barraquito Coffee - Alternatives
However, we don't want to force anyone to drink alcohol. Not in the morning or at any other time of day. So if you still want to try a Barraquito, you can make it the same way – just leave out the liqueur. And instead of the milk foam, people in the Canary Islands like to use whipped cream. After all, the drink should remain sweet and rich. This is why the coffee is then called a Barraquito virgen or simply a Barraquito without liqueur (Barraquito sin licor).
Barraquito Coffee – Tenerife
According to all legends, the Barraquito originated on the island of Tenerife. Accordingly, there are various variations and names there. In the north of the island, between the towns of Buenavista and Puerto de la Cruz, it is predominantly called Zaperoco. And between the towns of Santa Cruz and La Laguna in the northern tip of the island, the Barraquito is essentially nothing more than a coffee with condensed milk and foam. This variation is also called Leche y Leche (milk and milk) on the island.
Barraquito coffee – which coffee is suitable
In the Canary Islands, you can also find regular coffee alongside the Barraquito. However, it's important to know how you want your coffee when ordering—with or without milk. Because when you order a coffee, you'll simply get a coffee. Usually a fairly strong, black coffee. This small, strong coffee also forms the basis for the Barraquito. It might even be coffee grown on the island. You can also find out more about coffee from the Canary Islands here.
Barraquito coffee – strong or fruity?
Since the coffee in the Canary Islands is generally strong, we recommend one of our espressos, such as the House Espresso , for a wild coffee Barraquito. Perhaps you could prepare it in a stovetop pot; this will make it less like an espresso and more like a strong coffee, making it a better match for the Barraquito, which uses coffee. You can also use an espresso. It's best to try both and find out which you like best. You can also use the El Salvador Coffee School Project Espresso from our shop.
Barraquito Coffee - Conclusion
Bring the flair of the Canary Islands into your living room, kitchen, or even your patio with a Barraquito. It's best enjoyed after work or on the weekend, because the Barraquito has a lot to offer: Not only does its ingredients make it quite sweet, but it also contains alcohol. Accordingly, you might not want to drive after drinking a Barraquito coffee, and above all, you shouldn't enjoy it every day, because otherwise it'll end up on your hips – with the condensed milk, milk, and liqueur, it's packed with calories. But that's not the point; every now and then it simply tastes delicious and is well worth the effort and the calories.
