Search
by Ingredient

Homemade Kahlua

Empty starEmpty starEmpty starEmpty starEmpty star

Submitted by billcreitz

Homemade Kahlua: a rich coffee liqueur from a slow-simmered coffee syrup, vanilla and vodka. Cheaper than store-bought, make-ahead, and a great gift for cocktails or pouring over ice cream.

YIELD

36 servings

PREP

10 min

COOK

3 hrs

READY

3 hrs

Why buy coffee liqueur when you can make your own? This homemade Kahlua is rich, dark, and boozy, built from a deeply concentrated coffee syrup and a generous pour of vodka. It costs a fraction of the bottled stuff and makes a lovely gift.

The secret is patience. Water, sugar, and instant coffee simmer very slowly for a full three hours, reducing into a thick, dark, almost caramel-like syrup. That long, gentle cook is what concentrates the coffee flavor and gives the liqueur its body, so don’t rush it or crank the heat.

One thing matters above all: let the syrup cool completely before you stir in the vodka and vanilla. Add the alcohol while it’s hot and you’ll cook off the very thing that makes it a liqueur.

Bottle it up and let it mellow for a week or two if you can resist. Then pour it over ice cream, stir it into coffee, or shake up White Russians and espresso martinis.

Kitchen Tips

  • Simmer the syrup very slowly the full three hours. That long reduction is what builds deep coffee flavor.
  • Cool the syrup completely before adding the vodka, or the heat will drive off the alcohol.
  • Bottle it and let it mellow for a week or two; the flavor smooths out with a little age.
  • Use a good instant coffee or espresso powder for the richest result.

Variations

  • Add a split vanilla bean or a cinnamon stick to the bottle for extra depth.
  • Use rum or brandy in place of vodka.
  • Stir in a little cocoa or cacao nibs for a mocha liqueur.

Ingredients

1 0.9
QUART L WATER *
2 ½ 591
CUPS ML SUGAR
3 45
TABLESPOONS ML INSTANT COFFEE *
1 15
TABLESPOON ML VANILLA EXTRACT
2 ½ 591
CUPS ML VODKA *

Directions

Bring water, sugar and coffee to a boil in a saucepan.

Simmer VERY slowly for 3 hours.

Mixture will be very dark and syrupy. Cool. Add vanilla and vodka.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

Comments


 

 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 14g (0.5 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 492 0% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 42%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars g
Protein 0g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0% Iron 0%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Low Fat, Fat-Free, Low in Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, Cholesterol-Free, Trans-fat Free, Sodium-Free, Low Sodium
 

Email this recipe