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    Home » Cocktails » Homemade Kahlua

    Homemade Kahlua

    Published: September 23, 2018. Last Updated: September 4, 2020 by: Ginny McMeans

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    Full glass of rich deep Kajlua and filled with giant ice cubes.
    Two photos one above the other showing kahlua in an ice filled tumbler.
    Two phoyos one above the other with a glass ful of ice and a deep rich kahlua.
    Two photos tumblers filled with ice and homemade kahlua.
    Homemade Kahlua is poured into a glass and has two giant ice cubes. Sitting on a bamboo stick coaster in front of a decanter with more Kahlua and clear snowflake topped swizzle sticks on the side.

    Homemade Kahlua has a simple and perfect balance of sweetness that is shared with coffee and rum. Doesn't it sound good already? Aged for 2 to 3 weeks.

    Homemade Kahlua is poured into a glass and has two giant ice cubes. Sitting on a bamboo stick coaster in front of a decanter with more Kahlua and clear snowflake topped swizzle sticks on the side.

    Homemade Kahlua takes a little effort and the rewards are huge. All you do is put 4 ingredients together and then let it age for about two to three weeks.

    The result? A perfect coffee-flavored liqueur that is excellent for sipping or mixing in many recipes that call for a celebration.

    It makes a wonderful sipping cocktail.

    The holidays are coming up and if you get this Homemade Kahlua recipe going on time you could pour it into beautiful small bottles and give it as gifts.

    You could even tell them that it has to stay bottled another week or so for the aging to complete.

    Glass of sweet liquor sitting on a woven coaster with a vanilla bean.

    What Liquor Can I use to Make Kahlua?

    • Rum is the tradition and you can use dark rum or white rum. I like dark rum as I think it gives it more warmth.
    • Sometimes vodka is used and that makes a nice Kahlua too. It is easier on some people and doesn't smell as strong. It makes a good cocktail.
    • There's a liquor called Everclear. It's powerful stuff and often used in creating liqueurs.
    • Brandy has also been used but that one needs to age about a month.

    Sweet coffee liqueur is sitting on bamboo stick coasters in front of a decanter with more Kahlua and a vanilla bean in front.

    Homemade Kahlua brings back warm memories for me. Not that I got to drink it but I got to share the time with my mom while she made it.

    Well, don't get me wrong. I did get a sip and even at 16, I knew Kahlua was a special drink.

    I have mom's original recipe that is written on scratch paper - it is a bit dirty and I cherish it.

    That recipe is now this recipe for everyone to have. Believe me, it's been tried and tested many many times.

    For about 50 years. It's that good and a real family tradition.

    Do You Have To Use a Vanilla Bean to Make Homemade Kahlua?

    • You don't have to but it gives an aged quality but you only have to use an inch of the whole bean.
    • They are usually 5" to 6" long so that means you can make a lot of Kahlua with one bean. That's at least 2 gallons!
    • So the vanilla bean doesn't sound so expensive when you look at it that way.
    • You can use a super good organic vanilla extract instead. The plus on this is that you can have instant gratification.
    • The Kahlua will still improve with a little time though but the vanilla bean recipe really makes it great.

    Homemade Kahlua is poured into two glasses and are filled with two giant ice cubes. Sitting on a bamboo stick coaster with a vanilla bean on the side.

    Go ahead and double or triple the recipe for even more gift-giving. Or heck, for your own cupboard.

    Keep this liqueur sealed tight and it will stay good three to four years. I kid you not.

    Of course, it wouldn't last even a year in my house. Maybe a season?

    Ingredients for Homemade Kahlua!

    • Strong and hot fresh brewed coffee - gives a depth to the sweetened rum
    • Organic sugar - is the perfect addition to sweeten the alcohol
    • Rum - is my favorite for Kahlua. Some people use Vodka.
    • Vanilla bean - is a necessity but vanilla extract may be used. See the notes above if you use vanilla extract.

    This Kahlua can also be used in any of your dessert recipes that call for Kahlua.

    If the word Kahlua is in the title of a dessert it just sounds like something special. One recipe I have on the blog is called Kahlua Truffles.

    Kahlua Truffles are easy decadence. Unusual ingredients are mixed together and turned into a chocolaty delight.
    They just seem too special for everyday snacks. That sweetened coffee rum liqueur really puts that treat over the top.

    You can tell I really like Kahlua. In fact, I really like making homemade liqueurs too.

    I mentioned the holidays so my Copycat Baileys Irish Cream Whisky recipe could be a recipe you'd like to try too.

    You've probably heard of the cocktail, a White Russian. That is made with one-ounce of Kahlua and a splash of cream. In our case dairy-free cream.

    It's that easy and is very very popular too.

    Fresh cocktail is in a a clear fat footed glass and is filled with ice and sitting on a pine needle woven mat.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

    Want to make some Homemade Kahlua?

    PIN IT to your Drinks or Christmas board to save for later!

    Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes!

    No freezing is necessary. It will keep -almost forever- meaning until you drink it all.

    Joking aside it keeps about 3 years.

    Extra long photo of a cocktail with text at the top for pinning.

    What Do You Think?

    If you take a photo of your beautiful deep rich Kahlua, follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer. I'd love to see it!

    And if you'd like to leave a star rating along with a comment for this recipe, it would really be appreciated.

    Glass of sweet liquor sitting on a woven coaster with a vanilla bean.

    Homemade Kahlua

    Ginny McMeans
    Homemade Kahlua has a perfect balance of sweetness that is shared with coffee and rum.
    5 from 73 votes
    Print Save Saved
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Cocktails
    Servings 8 Cups
    Calories 424 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ cups strong and hot fresh brewed coffee
    • 4 cups sugar - organic
    • 2 ¼ cups rum
    • 1 inch vanilla bean - cut in half lengthwise for aged quality or 1 tablespoon of a good quality vanilla extract for instant gratification

    Instructions
     

    • Stir sugar into hot coffee and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool.
    • Add the rum and vanilla pieces, stir.
    • Cover and let sit for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool place.
    • Strain, remove beans and bottle.
    • If you are using vanilla extract then stir in and it is ready. It won't have quite the depth of flavor but it is good.

    Notes

    Sugar loses a lot of its measurement when it turns to liquid so you will end up with about 46 ounces of Kahlua.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1CupCalories: 424kcalCarbohydrates: 90gSodium: 1mgSugar: 83gIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Previous Post: « Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ginny McMeans

      March 17, 2021 at 9:39 am

      That's great Stevielyn. Dark roast should give you the strength you need. My husband uses a drip funnel for his coffee if that is what you mean. He uses 3 tablespoons ground coffee for one cup. So for 3 cups use 9 tablespoons. That is 1/2 cup plus one tablespoon.

    2. Alli

      March 21, 2021 at 7:05 am

      5 stars
      I'm keeping this recipe forever. Thank you! It is so good.

    3. Kevin

      March 24, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      This was so simple and the taste was delicious right off the bat. Can't wait for it to age.

    4. Lnorman

      April 02, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      I made this kahlua as it was the closest one I could find to a long lost recipe which I always wanted to try. I used the Organic Sugar, Organic coffee, and real vanilla bean and it was soooooo delicious. Gave a few bottles as gifts and friends loved it too. Such a treat to find your recipe. Thank you for sharing!

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