How to make coffee liqueur using just a few basic ingredients including coffee, vanilla, & vodka. This homemade Kahlua recipe takes about 15 minutes to make
I love flavored liqueurs and Baileys, Tia Maria, and Kahlua are all among my favorites. The only thing I don’t like about these creamy, tipsy, girly drinks is their price — they’re all about £14 a bottle now. Years ago I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid as I popped them into my trolley and swished my way over to the till. Now I’m loath to spend that amount when I know I can make it myself. By making your own you’ll cut down the cost by two-thirds and this recipe cost me only £4.50 per bottle to make.
Most branded food and drink can be made easily and less expensively at home and this includes Kahlua coffee liqueur. It’s not only simple to make but only requires a handful of ingredients that you might even have in your cupboards already. If you choose to, you can also vary the ingredients slightly, customizing it to suit your own taste – more or less sweet, alcoholic, or more coffee. I use vodka to make this recipe, but for a more authentic homemade Kahlua, use rum.
Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
Ingredients
- 4 cups boiling Water 950g
- 2 cups brown Sugar 400g
- 2 cups white Sugar 400g
- 1/2 cup Instant Coffee, Regular or Decaf 50g
- 1 Vanilla bean
- 3 cups Vodka 667g / Alternatively, use rum for a more authentic Kahlua
- 3 Clean and sterilized bottles. Empty wine bottles with screw tops are perfect
Instructions
- Put both sugars into a heat-proof bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved then add the instant coffee. Stir again until dissolved then cool to room temperature.
- Once the sugar water has cooled, slice your vanilla pod along the side. Scrape the gooey insides out with a knife and stir it into the sugar water.
- Pour the vodka into the mix and stir gently. Then, using a funnel, pour the coffee liqueur into the bottles and seal. If any of the black vanilla is stuck to the bottom of the bowl just spoon it out and into the bottles. That's a whole lot of flavor that you don't want to miss out on.
- Stand your bottles of homemade Kahlua upright in a dark place and wait about two to three weeks before drinking it. This is to give the flavors, especially the vanilla, time to infuse. If you absolutely can't wait that long it's fine to drink any time after you make it.
- You can serve homemade kahlua on its own over ice, or mix it into a cocktail. Kahlua is the key ingredient in making White Russians and to make your own, mix on shot vodka wit hhalf a shot homemade kahlua and pour in a glass. Top the drink with a drizzle of cream and then plop a few ice cubes on top. Cheers!
Nutrition
rob says
Starbucks Liquor used to sell this and another brand i have on the shelf locally sold out in days. Good info thanks for posting. Long ago I did torrents and copied every pdf on any recipe I could.
half n half
vanilla vodka
then the coffee liquor
Charlotte says
Recipe printed! Will make half I think, bc I don’t have that many (large) empty bottles ;-)
lovelygreens says
Time to crack open a few to make space? ;) hehe! Enjoy the recipe Charlotte
lovelygreens says
Absolutely delicious and very easy to make
Whitney says
How long will this keep?
lovelygreens says
About a year if all your ingredients are fresh. Check the best by dates on all your ingredients though — the closest date is your own products best by date.
Patti Hamlin says
Made this toda. OMG is it ever wonderful! Got most in dark space for 2 weeks but just had to try it!
lovelygreens says
It’s so yummy isn’t it? Glad you liked it even on its first day :)
Cindy says
Could you use Splenda instead of sugar in th this recipe?
lovelygreens says
I’ve not tried — experiment and let me know what you think?
Patty says
I tried Splenda and when I removed the lid, it exploded all over the ceiling and smelled horrific as if it for enter.
Patty says
Formented
lovelygreens says
There should be no fermenting going on in this recipe. Kahlua is a coffee infusion.
Lynndene Way says
I used Monkfruit sugar replacement in my first batch. I am going to use eyrthritol in the next batch. It turned out really well!
Diana Hunt says
I have m,ade the same for years, only with coffee beans. For this you need a larger bottle and about six weeks to get the real taste. Stored cool and dark, give the bottle a good shake every two days. Voila. Afterwards strain off and throw away zhe beans and put in a smaller bottle. A great present for the men. Here they drink it cooled as a shot. If you put more sugar in so that it is thicker it tastes wonderfull with vanilla ice-cream.
lovelygreens says
A great present for the men?! A great present for anyone!
James says
It taste wonderful with any ice cream, I poured it over chocolate cherry yogurt with chips of chocolate and cherries. I also like to do shots, I pour Kahlúa into a shot glass and then top it off with vodka. The vodka should float on top. Then just shoot it, the Kahlúa is like a chaser. It’s called a black Russian shooter.
I learned to do this back in the 80s. I quit making any until just recently.
lovelygreens says
That sounds incredible!
Susan Sparke says
Try using espresso. Amazing!
Jacqueline Puleston says
could you please tell me if the 1/2 cup of instant coffee is just the granules or coffee made up with water. Thank you. J :)
lovelygreens says
It’s just dried granules Jacqueline – no water.
Sue Harrop says
How much vanilla extract should you use in place of a vanilla bean
lovelygreens says
I’ve never tried making it without a vanilla bean but I will tell you this: you can make an entire bottle of homemade vanilla extract with just one vanilla pod.
Lesley Standridge says
You buy a regular size bottle like from a Dollar General or Family Dollar Store, and it only costs a dollar, if you don’t want to do the Vanilla bean, however that is what I would do. Cause the fresh Vanilla bean is so much better and will be able to tell the difference in a hurry!
Wolf says
Finally found the bean all across town, And just completed 2 bottles and one cup. Wine type bottles with rubber glass stopper. Used a Caribbean spiced rum since I was using it for white russians and my morning coffee I did not see the need for the vodka.. Now off to a dark cool room for three weeks. And onto the Baileys directions.. :) Why stop now! LOL
Patty says
Wondering how the Kahului turned out using spiced rum?
Anonymous says
Made mine a few weeks ago, found some cool bottles in dollar store that are intended for olive oil! I think the Mexican variety is made with rum, I used a combination of vodka & brandy! I recommend giving it a shake every few days to keep it infused. Can hardley wait to try it. ( I did try a taste because all I made did not fit into the amount of bottles I bought and now know it is good to elet the vanilla infuse!)
Christina Mendoza says
Making homemade Kahlua looks very tempting! Do you know if the original is made with vodka? I always liked Kahlua, but not other drinks with vodka. I'm wondering if it would taste about the same to substitute rum or whiskey in your recipe, or if those are too strong-tasting.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
You really can't taste the Vodka when the Kahlua is finished but you could try rum or whisky if you wanted. It might taste really strong (bad?!) though!
Lesley Standridge says
Tanya is right about the Vodka you will not be able to taste it at all. But it is something you have to watch when you drink it, cause it will knock you on your butt, if not careful.
soggybottomflats says
Tanya, I happened to find your lovely blog and love it! Especially the Kahlua recipe. Do you happen to like Amaretto Di Sarrono? I have a recipe that is awesomely wonderful! I and spouse only drink the very expensive Amaretto but I too have the recipe that you are unable to tell the difference.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Thanks for the recipe Elaine!
Karen says
Please do share guys.
Janet Finotti says
not sure where I would find vanilla bean.. how much vanilla abstract would suffice in it's place?
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Vanilla beans can be found in any large supermarket – they'll be in the spices area.
Wolf says
(but if) So far I have not found, > how much vanilla abstract would suffice in it's place?
Anonymous says
I'm going to have to try this! Thanks :)
Anonymous says
How long will this last?
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Not long…the bottle is usually empty within a week or so ;)
I'd say about three months though it probably could last much longer. You'll actually find similar recipes claiming a year, two years, or indefinitely but without evidence I'd be conservative on shelf-life due to the water content and lack of preservatives.
Charlie says
I made a huge batch and put it in old Kahlua bottles several years ago.
Then got sick and had to stop drinking alcohol while I was in treatment.
Now I can drink it again.
I’m just finishing up the last of those bottles now after 5years since being made.
I stored it in the pantry, not completely dark but I’d used the actual Kahlua bottles.
Mumra says
If you can get Al Kool or 180 proof alcohol there will be a purer taste. Also I think some real coffee beans would be a nice touch.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Interesting idea with the coffee beans!
Sandy says
Tanya,
I recently found your blog and totally enjoy reading it. Thank you
for this recipe, the Kahlua will make a great Christmas gift.
Shaheen says
This is perhaps my favourite liquer of choice, but for a while I have had to walk by it at the supermarkets as the price has been outwith my present income. I so appreciate this recipe and cannot wait to try it – will do once I have settled into my new home in Wales. Thank you for sharing Tanya.
ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com says
Yum! I didn't know you could make this home made! Great gift idea!!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
I hope you enjoy it Fiona :)
Cottage Smallholder says
Oh this sounds excellent!! Can't wait to try it out for myself :)
Jo says
I don't drink coffee in any form, Tanya, though I don't mind the coffee creams in a box of choccies, lol. Well you can't win us all, can you?
The Weaver of Grass says
I learn something new every time I come to your blog Tanya.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Jo – Do you drink iced lattes? If so, you'll love this recipe. It's really not all that strong once you mix it half and half with milk.
Mad Kiwi Bird – Sounds delicious! Freezing fruit does tend to break down its structure but if you're planning on using it for cooking or blending it actually doesn't matter – and anyway it enhances the flavour. I always freeze my bananas before using them in baking these days and I do the same for berries as well.
Becky – Let me know how you get on :)
Nelly – You're very welcome…enjoy :)
Liquineer – This is very true about alcohol taxes/duty. And am VERY jealous about your experience of making 'Real' Baileys. Lucky you!
Sunnybrook – You should try it! I'll bet it will work just fine.
Elaine – To each their own ;)
Green Lady – Whoo hoo! Am glad to help :) And it sounds like those church ladies know how to party! Haha
Philippa – Am really glad to give you the idea and hope that John enjoys his homemade Kahlua :)
Philippa says
One of John's favourite drinks has Kahlua in so will definately be trying this out. Never even thought of making it ourselves – thank you!
Philippa
The Green Lady says
Oh wow. My booze intake has risen since my son started Catholic school. all the fundraisers seem to involve it. Before Christmas we had a cocktail crawl, going from house to house, each one with a country theme. I made my chilli verde canapes for the Mexico house. Anyway, I couldn't remember the name of my favourite cocktail, it's the B52!!! I also got a bit of a taste for Irish coffee at the Church Christmas fair too. I think you have just made my day.
elaine rickett says
I am afraid that coffee liqueur doesn't appeal in any way, shape or form. Sorry Tanya, you are on your own on this one. I can remember Christmasses past when my Aunt was always trying to press a Tia Maria on me – no-thank-you!
Sunnybrook Farm says
I wonder if it works with moonshine?
Anonymous says
I HAVE MADE IT WITH EVERCLEAR
The Liquineer says
Of course the reason the shop bought drinks are so expensive is the Government tax placed on every bottle-the ingredients themselves are a small part of the cost.
Just to make you all jealous, I have actually made Baileys in the Baileys factory! But I can't tell you the recipe!
Nelly says
Thanks for the recipe. Cannot wait to try it!
becky3086 says
Very interesting post! I really can't wait to try this.
Mad Kiwi Bird says
That's brilliant! We had far too many strawberries last year, arrive all at the same time, so we froze them. People told us that would spoil them…..joke's on them, we were making strawberry daquiri's for my birthday!
Jo says
Once again, home made costs so little compared to shop bought. That looks so easy to make too. I'm afraid that I don't care much for any alcohol other than wine, or perhaps a half of lager on a very hot day.