The Licor 43 cocktail recipe
for your table
Fill a tumbler with plenty of ice cubes.
Pour the Licor 43 over the ice.
Slowly pour the cold milk on top. For a moment, it will float as a white layer above the liqueur.
Give it a quick stir just before drinking, or let your guest do it.
What did you think of this recipe?
One click on a star is enough. If you’d like to add a comment, we’ll review it before it appears here.
Save this recipe
Send the Licor 43 cocktail recipe to your own email, so you have it handy when you’re ready to make it. You’ll also get a €5 discount code on orders from €50, for the glasses that go with it.
The story
Licor 43 comes from Cartagena, Spain. Its name refers to the 43 ingredients it is said to contain, mainly citrus fruits, vanilla, and spices. The recipe is believed to date back to a drink from Roman times. The version we know today has been around since 1946. In Spain, it is usually drunk neat or over ice. Elsewhere, things took a different turn. On Tenerife, barraquito, made with coffee and condensed milk, became a local classic. In the Netherlands, adding ordinary cold milk became the standard recipe. It’s so simple that you wonder why no one thought of it sooner.
The right glass
Choose a tumbler holding 25 to 35 cl. It’s low enough to sit securely in your hand and wide enough for plenty of ice. Choose clear glass. The best moment with this cocktail is when the white milk sinks through the amber-colored liqueur, and you want to be able to see it. A thick base keeps it colder for longer and gives it a café feel. If you’re serving it as an after-dinner drink, choose a smaller size, 20 to 25 cl.
Duralex Picardie Tumbler 25 cl (6 pieces)
Onis Icon Tumbler 35 cl (6 pieces)
Twelve tumblers in two sizes for a total of € 48,90.
The right tools
For a Licor 43 cocktail, besides the glass, you’ll need a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for precise measuring, and large ice cubes. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you’ll find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Large cubes melt slowly, so your drink gets less diluted
Glass set (our pick 01) + 3 bar tools together € 57,80.
Variations & twists
Use cold espresso instead of milk and you have a Licor 43 Carajillo. We also have a separate recipe for that, the Carajillo. With orange juice, it becomes a refreshing summer drink. With tonic, you get a surprisingly dry long drink. The barraquito from Tenerife is built in layers, with condensed milk, liqueur, espresso, and frothed milk. Need more inspiration? Browse all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Use whole milk, not semi-skimmed. The fat carries the vanilla and keeps the cocktail creamy; otherwise, it becomes watery. Pour the milk over the rounded side of a spoon for a clean transition from white to amber. It looks good and takes no extra effort. If both the milk and liqueur are ice-cold, you’ll need very little ice.
Good to know
Likeur 43 or Licor 43?
The bottle says Licor 43, but in the Netherlands many people write likeur 43. It’s the same Spanish bottle from Cartagena. The number stands for the 43 ingredients that the makers say go into it, mainly citrus fruits, vanilla, and spices. If you ask the bartender for a cocktail with 43, you’ll almost always get the one with cold milk. A likeur 43 cocktail is exactly the same recipe. If you see a cocktail with likeur 43 on the menu, it’s simply this liqueur mixed with milk or juice.
Mixing Licor 43 without a shaker
The easiest way to mix Licor 43 is right in the glass. Add the ice first, then the liqueur, and the milk last. Measure with a jigger instead of pouring by eye. Five centiliters of liqueur to ten centiliters of milk is enough to taste the vanilla without making it too sweet. The mistake we see most often is pouring in all the milk at once. Everything mixes immediately, and you can no longer see that white layer. For a longer drink, use orange juice or tonic.
Frequently asked questions
What glass should you use for Licor 43 with milk?
A 25 to 35 cl tumbler. Browse our tumbler glasses for hospitality-quality sets.
What's the right ratio of liqueur to milk?
Usually, use one part Licor 43 to two parts milk. For a creamier version, use a 1:3 ratio. If you want to taste the liqueur more, use a 1:1.5 ratio.
Can I use plant-based milk too?
Yes, and oat milk works best. It's sweet and creamy enough for the vanilla. Almond milk is too thin. Coconut milk gives it a tropical twist, which isn't to everyone's taste.
Why does the milk sometimes curdle?
This is caused by acidity or a big temperature difference. Licor 43 contains citrus. So use fresh, well-chilled milk and pour it just before serving to avoid this.
Everything for your bar,
to one address
Hospitality-quality glasses, delivered in sets. Order today, receive them quickly.
Shop the glasses →