Barraquito is a coffee that captivates before you even take the first sip. This drink from Tenerife draws the eye with its striking layers of condensed milk, espresso, liqueur and steamed milk, and wins you over with an unusual combination of sweetness, coffee intensity, and aromas of vanilla, cinnamon and citrus. See what barraquito actually is and how to make it at home.
- What is barraquito?
- What does barraquito taste like?
- What goes into a traditional barraquito?
- How to make barraquito step by step
- Which coffee works best for barraquito?
- Barraquito vs latte, cappuccino and café bombón – the key differences
- Can you make a non-alcoholic barraquito?
- Why barraquito became an icon of Canarian coffee culture
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
What is barraquito?
Barraquito (also known as zaperoco) is a traditional coffee drink from the Canary Islands — more specifically from Tenerife. According to local stories, the name comes from a regular at one of the island's coffee bars who would always order coffee with condensed milk and liqueur. Over time, other customers began asking for "a coffee like Barraquito's," and the name stuck.
Did you know…? According to the most widely accepted version of events, the name comes from Don Sebastián Rubio — a regular at Bar Imperial in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, known to everyone by the nickname "Barraquito." He always ordered coffee with condensed milk, liqueur and cinnamon in a tall glass. Bar Imperial is still open today.
Today barraquito is one of the culinary symbols of Tenerife. For locals it is part of everyday life; for visitors it is an essential taste to try while on the island.
See also: Latte Cookie – a dessert in a cup
What does barraquito taste like?
Most people's first impression of barraquito is sweetness. A well-made zaperoco offers far more than that, though. The condensed milk brings a creamy sweetness that works in harmony with the intensity of the espresso. The liqueur adds notes of vanilla and caramel, while the cinnamon and lemon zest cut through with a fresh, spiced edge.
The result is a drink that is at once sweet, coffee-forward, creamy and lightly citrusy. That combination makes barraquito just as fitting for a quiet afternoon at a café table as it is for a dessert course at the end of a meal.
What goes into a traditional barraquito?
There are many local variations, but the classic recipe is built on a few core ingredients. Their order and density directly affect whether the characteristic layers hold.
| Ingredient | Role in the drink |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Delivers intensity and coffee character |
| Condensed milk | Provides sweetness and creamy texture |
| Steamed milk foam | Adds lightness and a velvety finish |
| Licor 43 | Brings vanilla and caramel aromas |
| Lemon zest | Adds freshness and a citrus accent |
| Cinnamon | Enhances the overall aroma |
Some bars also add a little nutmeg or a twist of orange zest.
Read also: What affects coffee flavour
How to make barraquito step by step
Making barraquito is not difficult, but it does require a little precision. The key is keeping the layers visible — which is why a tall, clear glass works best for this Canarian coffee.
Homemade barraquito recipe
Ingredients
- 30 ml espresso,
- 30 ml condensed milk,
- 20–30 ml Licor 43,
- approximately 100 ml steamed milk foam,
- a pinch of cinnamon,
- a strip of lemon zest.
Method
- Pour the condensed milk into the bottom of a tall glass.
- Gently add the liqueur.
- Pull a fresh espresso and carefully pour it in over a spoon to preserve the layers. Wondering why the layers keep mixing? Check What affects coffee flavour, written by our expert!
- Top with the steamed milk foam.
- Dust with cinnamon.
- Add a thin strip of lemon zest.
If you want the visual effect to really land, make sure all ingredients differ in density and add each one slowly.
Which coffee works best for barraquito?
The extras play an important role here, but the foundation is still the espresso. It is what holds the drink in balance and keeps it from tipping into over-sweetness. Barraquito works best with coffees that have notes of chocolate, caramel, cocoa and roasted nuts. Their natural sweetness pairs well with the condensed milk and liqueur.
At JAVA Coffee Roasters, those notes come through in the JAVA Classic Espresso Blend 001, with flavours of caramel, walnut and dark chocolate. A strong alternative is Brazil Maracana, with aromas of bitter chocolate and roasted nuts, and Guatemala Santa Rosa, which combines cocoa and walnut notes. Those who prefer a more classic, dessert-like profile may also enjoy Honduras Marcala, with accents of chocolate and brown sugar.
For barraquito, it is worth choosing freshly roasted beans intended for espresso. This preserves the intensity needed to balance the sweetness of the additions and brings out the full character of this Canarian speciality.
Barraquito vs latte, cappuccino and café bombón – the key differences
Although barraquito is built on espresso and milk, it sits in a different category from classic coffee drinks. It is closer to a coffee dessert than a straightforward milk coffee. What makes it distinct are primarily the condensed milk, the liqueur, and the garnish of cinnamon and lemon zest.
| Drink | Main ingredients | Sweetness level | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barraquito | Espresso, condensed milk, steamed milk foam, liqueur, cinnamon, lemon | High | Yes, in the classic version |
| Latte | Espresso and a large amount of milk | Low (without sweetener) | No |
| Cappuccino | Espresso, milk and milk foam | Low (without sweetener) | No |
| Café bombón | Espresso and condensed milk | High | No |
Barraquito's closest relative is café bombón, but the Canarian version is far more aromatic and layered, thanks to the liqueur and spices.
Read also: Espresso macchiato — what it is and what it tastes like
Can you make a non-alcoholic barraquito?
The traditional recipe calls for Licor 43, but there is nothing stopping you from making a non-alcoholic version of this drink. The simplest approach is to replace the liqueur with vanilla or caramel syrup. The coffee keeps its characteristic sweet and aromatic notes while becoming suitable for anyone who does not drink alcohol.
Some people also add a few drops of vanilla extract or orange-flavoured syrup. Combined with the cinnamon and lemon zest, this gets the flavour surprisingly close to the original.
Read also: Is coffee with milk healthy? Facts, research and the effect of milk on coffee
Why barraquito became an icon of Canarian coffee culture
Barraquito captures the spirit of the Canary Islands perfectly — a place where different traditions, flavours and cultural influences meet. That is what makes this drink something more than just another coffee with additions. For Tenerife locals, barraquito is part of daily life: ordered after lunch, over a catch-up with friends, or during a relaxed afternoon at a neighbourhood café. For visitors, it is one of the most distinctive tastes the islands have to offer.
If you want to make barraquito at home, start with a good-quality espresso. The right freshly roasted beans bring out the full flavour and turn even a simple recipe into a proper journey to the sun-drenched Canary Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Does barraquito always contain alcohol?
No. Although the classic recipe includes Licor 43, the liqueur can be replaced with vanilla or caramel syrup to make a non-alcoholic version of this dessert coffee.
Which liqueur is used in barraquito?
The standard choice is the Spanish liqueur Licor 43, which gives the drink its characteristic vanilla and caramel notes.
Which coffee should you use for barraquito?
Espresso made from beans with notes of chocolate, caramel, cocoa or nuts works best. That flavour profile pairs well with the sweet additions.
How does barraquito differ from café bombón?
Both drinks contain espresso and condensed milk, but barraquito also includes liqueur, steamed milk foam, cinnamon and lemon zest.
Is barraquito very sweet?
Yes, it is noticeably sweeter than a latte or cappuccino. The sweetness comes primarily from the condensed milk and the liqueur.
Can barraquito be served cold?
It is traditionally served warm, but summer versions served over ice also exist.
Sources
- Wikipedia contributors. Barraquito. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barraquito (accessed: June 2026).
- Punch Drink. Barraquito Is the Canary Islands' Coffee Cocktail and Local Ritual. punchdrink.com, 2024. https://punchdrink.com/articles/barraquito-canary-islands-coffee-cocktail/
- Enjoy Canary Islands. Barraquito: Tenerife's Famous Layered Coffee Drink. enjoycanaryislands.com, 2024. https://enjoycanaryislands.com/barraquito-tenerife-coffee/
- Tenerife Weekly. The Drink That Splits the Canaries: Barraquito, Special Barraquito, Leche y Leche, or Zaperoco? tenerifeweekly.com, 2025. https://tenerifeweekly.com/
- Alkohole Świata. Licor 43 31% 0.7L – product description. alkoholeswiata.com. https://www.alkoholeswiata.com
