As temperatures continue to drop across most of the world, many are turning to hearty foods and flavours and sweet and hot drinks for comfort. Winter warmers abound all across the world but an especially indulgent treat to enjoy if you book a winter break in the Canary Islands or a vacation rental in Tenerife, in particular, is the barraquito. A sweet coffee drink that can have alcohol added to it, it is not totally unlike an Irish coffee but a little spicier. Check out our recipe to try one as you plan your holiday in the Canary Islands and then try the real thing this winter once you touch down!
Supposedly named after Sebastian Rubio, whose nickname was Barraco (the Portuguese meaning, “shed”) and who would order the mixture of ingredients while eating at the Imperial Bar in Tenerife, the barraquito eventually caught on with locals. In fact, variations can be found throughout the Canary Islands: it is often known as zaperoco in northern areas of Tenerife or saperoco and in some places barraquito is served without alcohol and the former examples are often served with alcohol.
The core recipe, however, is comprised of layers of condensed milk, Licor 43 (a liqueur made of citrus, vanilla, and various herbs and spices), espresso, frothy milk, sometimes some whipped cream, and finished off with a garnish of cinnamon and lemon peel.
Here’s how you put them together to make it for yourself:
Ingredients:
Condensed milk
Licor 43 (Tia Maria or another coffee liqueur can be used as a substitute if you can’t get your hands on Licor 43)
Espresso
Frothed milk
Whipped cream (optional)
Ground cinnamon
Lemon
Method:
1. Start by preparing an espresso and heating and frothing some milk.
2. Fill a glass 1/5 of the way with condensed milk.
3. Add another 1/5 of the way up the glass of liqueur.
4. Add the espresso.
5. Top with the frothy milk and the whipped cream before adding the cinnamon and lemon peel.
6. Enjoy as you plan a dream getaway in the Canary Islands or from your perfect villa in Tenerife once you are on holidays!